Two days after an under-construction building collapsed in north Karnataka’s Dharwad killing at least seven people, police have launched a manhunt for five partners who owned the commercial structure.

The accused include Gangadhar Shintry, the father-in-law of former Congress Minister Vinay Kulkarni. Basavaraj Demappa Nigadi, Mahabaleshwar Shivappa Puradagudi, Ravi Basavaraj Sabarad and Vivek Pawar are the other accused who are absconding.

Hubbali-Dharwad Police Commissioner MN Nagaraja told TNM that no arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon.

“We are soon going to arrest them. We have already formed a team under the leadership of DCP Nagesh. The team is looking for the accused and we will shortly arrest all the five accused. All of them have been booked under 304 IPC,” Nagaraja told TNM.

Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code pertains to punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and is a non-bailable offence. The other sections mentioned in the FIR include 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life).

DCP Nagesh could not be reached for a comment.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing for a third day, with three teams of the National Disaster Response Force on the ground along with state emergency response personnel. As of Thursday morning, 54 people had been rescued. One team from Bengaluru was rushed to the spot immediately on a special flight, and two more teams were airlifted from Ghaziabad.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who had earlier instructed Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar to personally monitor the rescue and relief process is set to visit the accident site on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Revenue Minister RV Deshpande visited the accident site and took stock of the situation. A Magistrate level enquiry has also been initiated.