Unauthorised construction on a three-storey building in Chawri Bazar led to the structure falling on Thursday.
Two people died and five others were injured after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar on Thursday morning, according to ANI. The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 AM at a property in Gali Sheesh Mahal, near Ajmeri Gate.
The collapse happened when illegal work on the second and third floors caused the entire building to fall. Rescuers and more than 30 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) labourers had to reach the site on foot because the three-foot-wide lane was too narrow for motorised vehicles or heavy machinery.
A preliminary MCD inquiry alleged that the owner, Samiullah, carried out extensive reconstruction without permission. Officials stated that the owner had previously been advised to perform structural strengthening rather than new construction. It is alleged that the removal of shuttering from a newly cast third-floor lintel caused the uncured slab to fail, triggering the collapse.
The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Kishori and 45-year-old Sanjeet. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site and ordered the immediate suspension of the area's Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer for alleged dereliction of duty.
Gupta also directed that an FIR be registered against the owner and the building contractor. Police said a case is being registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
