New Delhi: In a major crackdown by the Delhi government following the Satya Niketan building collapse that claimed seven lives, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to take strict action against illegal construction, including using bulldozers against illegal structures.
The Chief Minister ordered strict and comprehensive action following the Satya Niketan building collapse.
Gupta directed the MCD to carry out demolition action in several areas of Delhi and instructed all senior municipal corporation officials to remain present on the ground during the exercise, according to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
She also directed officials to conduct intensive inspections of all paying guest (PG) hostels across Delhi and take action against illegal construction found on the premises.
"Conduct intensive inspections of all PG hostels in Delhi and take action against illegal construction," the Chief Minister said in her directive.
She further instructed officials to scrutinise building records to establish when the illegal construction took place and determine under whose jurisdiction it was carried out.
"Scrutinise building records — determine exactly when the illegal construction took place and under whose jurisdiction," Gupta said in her directive.
In a post on X, the Delhi CMO said, "On the instructions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, MCD has been directed to demolish the dilapidated building adjoining the accident site in the interest of public safety. The belongings of students inside the building are being safely removed by Delhi Fire Service personnel in a systematic manner. All students and local residents are requested to cooperate with the authorities."
On the instructions of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, MCD has been directed to demolish the dilapidated building adjoining the accident site in the interest of public safety.The belongings of students inside the building are being safely removed by Delhi Fire Service…
According to the police, the investigation revealed that the building was undergoing significant repair work at the time of the incident. Mahesh Gupta said the basement floor was being repaired because of waste accumulation during the rainy season over the previous eight to 10 days. The ground floor was also being renovated for a commercial extension.
Mahesh further said that on the day of the collapse, the family learnt about the tragedy from local residents. Fearing legal action, they fled their residence and sought refuge at his in-laws' house in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
On Monday, property owner Urmila Gupta, 75, her husband Hariram Gupta, 81, and their son Mahesh Gupta, 52, were arrested by police in connection with the five-storey building collapse in South Campus's Satya Niketan on Sunday. The collapse claimed the lives of seven people and injured several others.
The Delhi Police is continuing its investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse and the role of those associated with the building's ownership, maintenance, repair work and PG operations.