Old Delhi Building Collapse: Illegal Construction Claims 2 Lives in Chawri Bazar
Two killed and five injured as an illegal building collapses in Chawri Bazar, Old Delhi. CM Rekha Gupta orders suspensions and FIR against owner.
A horrific tragedy struck the heart of Old Delhi on Thursday morning when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in the congested Chawri Bazar area. The disaster, which occurred around 10:30 AM, has left two people dead and five others injured, sparking outrage over the prevalence of unauthorised constructions in the city's densely packed lanes.
The Moment of Collapse
The incident took place at Property No. 4548, located in Gali Sheesh Mahal, Gali Shehatara, near Ajmeri Gate. According to reports, the catastrophe was triggered when unauthorised construction on the second and third floors gave way. The failure of these upper levels created a domino effect, bringing down the entire structure and trapping several people beneath the rubble.
A Rescue Mission Against the Clock
Rescue operations were fraught with challenges due to the extreme congestion of the locality. The building was situated at the end of a dead-end lane, barely three feet wide, which made it impossible for motorised vehicles, rescue trucks, or heavy earthmoving machinery to reach the site.
As a result, medical personnel, rescue teams, and over 30 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) zonal labourers were forced to navigate the narrow alleys on foot. Teams worked through the night under the glare of floodlights, manually removing debris and using only compact equipment to search for survivors.
Safety Concerns for Neighbors
Given the high density of the surrounding area, authorities did not stop at the collapse site. Emergency structural safety inspections were immediately launched for neighbouring properties to ensure that the vibrations or structural shifts from the collapse did not trigger further disasters in the vicinity.
The Trail of Negligence: How it Happened
A preliminary inquiry by the MCD has painted a grim picture of blatant law-breaking and negligence. The building's owner, identified as Samiullah, had allegedly ignored multiple warnings.
- The Warning: On April 28, 2026, the MCD Maintenance Department (City SP Zone) had issued an advisory to Samiullah regarding the building's deteriorating state, instructing him to strengthen the structure under a professional engineer's supervision.
- The Deception: While the MCD notice explicitly forbade new construction, the owner allegedly used the "repair work" as a cover to extensively reconstruct the building, adding second and third floors without permission.
- The Fatal Mistake: Investigators believe that the shuttering for the newly cast third-floor lintel was removed prematurely. This was allegedly done in haste to hide the evidence of unauthorised construction from officials. The uncured slab then collapsed, triggering the total failure of the G+3 structure.
Tax Records Used as a Shield?
Records show that Samiullah paid Rs 75,114 in property tax on April 22, 2026, under the self-assessment (SUNIYO) scheme. In his declaration, he described the property as a Ground plus Four (G+4) structure. Officials suspect this was a calculated move to mislead authorities and seek protection under special laws by declaring the floors in tax records, even though they lacked legal building permissions.
Government Crackdown and Accountability
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, accompanied by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, visited the site to offer condolences to the victims' families. The Chief Minister expressed her grief and vowed that those responsible for the tragedy would face the full force of the law.
Taking immediate administrative action, CM Rekha Gupta ordered:
- Suspensions: The immediate suspension of the area's Assistant Engineer (AE) and Junior Engineer (JE) for alleged dereliction of duty.
- Legal Action: The registration of an FIR against the building contractor and the owner, Samiullah.
- Investigation: A thorough inquiry into the incident to uncover the extent of the negligence.
The Delhi Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed via a post on X that the suspensions and the inquiry are part of a larger effort to ensure accountability in the wake of this avoidable tragedy.