From Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s arrest by the then British government to the interrogation of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, underworld dons Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli and Abu Salem, and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt — the iconic 117-year-old Crime Branch building, inside the Mumbai Police HQ premises, has been the stage for several key episodes in the country’s history.

Now, it’s time for the curtains to come down on the building itself.

The two-storey structure is set to be demolished this week after structural auditors deemed it unsafe. “The demolition work is set to be taken up by authorities after November 26. The building has already been vacated after being termed dilapidated and beyond repair,” said a senior police officer, adding that it will be replaced by a six-storey facility.

“The

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