Delhi Police flagged illegal construction in Chawri Bazar months before collapse
Authorities had alerted the MCD about unauthorised work at the site in June, according to reports from Deccan Chronicle and Hindustan Times.
A three-storey building under construction in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar collapsed on Thursday morning, killing at least two people. According to reports from Deccan Chronicle and Hindustan Times, Delhi Police had alerted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about unauthorised construction at the property on June 15.
The police communication addressed to the MCD's City-SP Zone identified the landowner and contractor as Furqan. While the police described the violation as small, the MCD stated that the owner had performed new construction on the second and third floors under the guise of repair work.
The MCD said the owner had built a G+3 structure without necessary permissions or following advisory conditions. An MCD official noted that the building was an unauthorised structure with no sanctioned plan and that the collapse occurred while a roof slab was being constructed using non-engineered material.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said between 10 and 15 labourers were reportedly at the site during the incident. One person was also reported injured in the collapse near the Chawri Bazar metro station.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site and ordered an inquiry into the incident. She also ordered the immediate suspension of assistant engineer Mohd Naeem and junior engineer Aman Dalal.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the owners and contractors. The Chief Minister's office stated that strict action will be taken against those found responsible.