Online Desk: The owner of the building affected by the explosion at Gulistan in the capital has been taken to the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of police.  DMP DB’s head Harun-ar-Rashid confirmed it to media on Wednesday (March 8) afternoon. Earlier on Tuesday night, the owner of ‘Bangladesh Sanitary’ shop of that building Abdul Motaleb Mintu was taken to the custody of DB. Then the owner of the building Wahidur Rahman was taken to the custody. Besides, several others were detained for questioning.

It was learnt that one Rezaur Rahman was the owner of the building affected by explosion at Gulistan. Following his death, his three sons — Wahidur Rahman, Mashiur Rahman and Matiur Rahman — became the inherited the ownership of the building. Of them, elder brother Wahidur Rahman and younger brother Matiur Rahman jointly supervised the building, while the second brother Mashiur Rahman lives in London. Among them, Wahidur Rahman was taken to the custody of DB.

DMP DB’s chief Harun-ar-Rashid said, “We have called in the owner of the house and proprietors of the shops for questioning in connection with the explosion. According to the commercial building rules, shops at the basements were not supposed to be sold or allocated. Besides, we we will seek answers whether the sewerage lines, septic tanks, water reservoirs etc were regularly supervised and maintained.”

He said, “We’ll try to ascertain whose negligence was responsible behind the deaths and injuries in the explosion. Besides, we’re investigating whether anyone from outside was behind the explosion.” Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, explosion happened at a building at Siddique Bazar in Gulistan, leaving 19 people dead so far and injuring more than 50.