Two dead as under-construction building collapses in Delhi's Chawri Bazar
Delhi Police had reportedly informed the MCD about unauthorised construction at the site five months ago, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Two people were killed and one was injured after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Delhi's Chawri Bazar on Thursday morning. The incident occurred near the Chawri Bazar Metro station in the Chandni Chowk area between 9:00 am and 9:50 am, according to reports from PTI, ANI, and ThePrint.
A senior official aware of the investigation told Hindustan Times that Delhi Police had informed Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials about unauthorised construction at 4547 Gali Sheesh Mahal on June 15, but no action was taken. The building had reportedly been under construction for three to six months.
Following the collapse, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered the suspension of assistant engineer Mohd Naeem and junior engineer Aman Dalal. Gupta also ordered a thorough inquiry and the registration of an FIR against the contractor responsible for the construction.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated on X that strict directions were issued to ensure medical treatment for the injured and ex-gratia assistance for affected families. Gupta said that further investigation will reveal the exact cause of the collapse and emphasised that any official overlooking negligence will not be spared.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged corruption in enforcement by civic and government departments. He questioned the effectiveness of safety audits conducted by the Rekha Gupta government and the MCD.
Rescue operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, and local police were carried out to clear the rubble. While two bodies have been recovered, officials were still assessing reports of people potentially trapped under the debris.