MCD suspends two engineers after Chawri Bazaar building collapse
The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into a building collapse in Old Delhi that killed two people and injured four others.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended an Assistant Engineer, Mohd Naeem, and a Junior Engineer, Aman Dalal, following the collapse of a three-storey building under construction in Chawri Bazaar on Thursday. According to reports from The New Indian Express and The Pioneer, the incident occurred around 9.50 am in Gali Sitara near the Chawri Bazaar metro station.
The collapse happened while the shuttering of the third-floor roof was being removed. Two people died in the incident, and four others were injured, according to Moneycontrol. A Delhi Fire Services rescue team recovered two bodies from the rubble.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Old Delhi Zone issued the suspension orders, citing a prima facie case of serious negligence and dereliction of duty. The Delhi government has also ordered an inquiry and directed officials to register an FIR against the contractor.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Mayor Pravesh Wahi visited the site. The Chief Minister stated that those responsible would be held accountable and that any negligence would not be permitted. She also requested that ex-gratia aid be provided to the affected families.
Preliminary reports indicate that no application for a Sanction of Building Plan (SBP) had been submitted by the owner or builder for the 45-square-yard plot. While an April 28 advisory had warned the owner, Samiullah, about the building's condition, the MCD's Building Department stated no prior complaints had been received regarding unauthorised construction at the site.