NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have arrested a builder and a contractor in connection with the collapse of a multi-storey building in south Delhi’s Saidulajab area that claimed six lives and injured eight others on May 30.
The accused, identified as Avinash Gupta and Manish Khatri, were allegedly involved in the construction and expansion of the structure. Both were apprehended from different locations in the city and are currently being questioned by investigators.
According to police sources, investigators are examining the construction process, approvals obtained for the project and the specific roles played by the accused in adding extra floors to the building.
The arrests follow the earlier detention of the building owner, Karamveer, who reportedly informed police during questioning that work to add additional storeys had begun approximately three months before the collapse.
Preliminary findings suggest that the building lacked several mandatory approvals, including a sanctioned building plan and approved construction map. Investigators have found that the structure was originally designed to support four floors but was subsequently expanded with two additional storeys.
Police suspect that the unauthorised expansion may have placed excessive stress on the building’s foundation and structural framework, contributing to the collapse.
Sources familiar with the investigation said Karamveer was earning nearly ₹2.5 lakh per floor in rent from the commercial property and allegedly sought to increase rental income by constructing additional levels. Investigators believe financial considerations may have been a key factor behind the unauthorised expansion.
Police further alleged that the owner was not present at the site when the building collapsed. After learning about the incident through a phone call, he allegedly went into hiding before eventually being traced and arrested by law enforcement authorities.
The investigation is now expected to focus on multiple aspects, including the original structural design, the quality of construction materials used, adherence to building regulations and the impact of the additional floors on the building’s load-bearing capacity.
Rescue personnel involved in the aftermath of the collapse said technical experts would assess whether deficiencies in design, construction standards or subsequent modifications directly contributed to the tragedy.
The collapse has once again highlighted concerns over illegal construction practices and inadequate enforcement of building regulations in parts of the national capital. Authorities are expected to scrutinise not only the actions of those directly involved in the project but also whether any regulatory lapses enabled the unauthorised construction to proceed.
Further investigation is underway, and additional charges may be filed based on the findings of structural and forensic assessments.
