Delhi Police Flagged Illegal Construction at Chawri Bazar Building Five Months Before Collapse, MCD Took No Action

Delhi Police had alerted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about unauthorised construction at a three-storey building in Chawri Bazar nearly five months before it collapsed on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring another.

According to officials familiar with the matter, police informed the civic body about the illegal construction at 4547, Gali Sheesh Mahal, on June 15 after receiving complaints. However, officials said they were unaware of any action taken by the MCD.

The building collapsed at around 9.50 am on November 5 in Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazar Metro station, triggering a rescue operation by emergency teams.

Police Alerted MCD in June Over Unauthorised Construction

A senior police official told Hindustan Times that the Delhi Police had informed the MCD about the unauthorised construction nearly five months before the accident.

The communication followed complaints regarding construction work at the building. However, no action by the civic body had been confirmed when the structure collapsed.

The MCD had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

The alleged delay in action has raised questions about the civic body's monitoring of unauthorised construction and the response to complaints involving building safety.

Two Dead, One Injured in Chawri Bazar Building Collapse

At least two people were killed and one person was injured when the building collapsed on Thursday morning.

According to a witness, around eight to ten labourers were working at the site when the structure gave way. Construction work was underway on the third-floor roof slab when the collapse occurred at approximately 9.30 am.

The number of people who may have been trapped under the debris was not immediately known.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel joined the search and rescue operation.

MCD Suspends Two Engineers, FIR Against Contractor Ordered

Hours after the collapse, the MCD suspended Assistant Engineer Mohd Naeem and Junior Engineer Aman Dalal on the orders of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The Chief Minister also ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident and directed officials to register an FIR against the contractor responsible for the construction.

The Chief Minister's Office said instructions had been issued to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and provide immediate ex-gratia assistance to the affected families.

It also warned that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.

Delhi CM Calls for Strict Action Over Safety Violations

Rekha Gupta visited the accident site and said negligence in following construction safety measures could put lives at risk.

She said the structure was a ground-plus-two-storey building and that the exact cause of the collapse would be established through an investigation.

The Chief Minister also warned that officials who overlooked construction-related violations would face action.

The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse, the contractor's role and the alleged failure to act on the police alert issued in June.