A magisterial inquiry into the fatal collapse of an unauthorised four-storey building in Delhi’s Saidulajab has held officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) responsible for serious lapses, concluding that the tragedy was entirely preventable.
The 80-page report found that MCD officials failed to act on repeated complaints about illegal construction, did not enforce building safety norms and allegedly created backdated inspection records after the collapse to conceal their negligence.
The building collapsed on May 30 while two additional floors were under construction, killing six people and damaging nearby structures. The inquiry stated that the primary cause of the disaster was unauthorised structural additions combined with poor regulatory oversight by the civic body.
The report noted that complaints about illegal construction had been received as early as March, but no effective inspection, demolition or preventive action was taken for more than two months. Action was initiated only three days before the collapse.
Investigators also questioned the MCD’s attempt to attribute the collapse to excavation work for an underground water tank, stating there was no technical evidence to support the claim.
The inquiry further alleged that certain MCD officials prepared backdated show-cause and work-stop notices after the incident to create a false record of official action and mislead investigators.
While the report cleared the Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board and BSES of wrongdoing, it raised concerns over the medical response, noting that one victim was taken to multiple hospitals before receiving treatment, which may have affected his chances of survival.
The inquiry recommended disciplinary action against negligent officials, mandatory structural safety audits of old and unauthorised buildings, stricter inspections, GIS-based monitoring of vulnerable structures, faster demolition of unsafe buildings and better coordination among civic agencies and emergency services.
Police had earlier arrested the building owner and two contractors in connection with the collapse. The report stressed that stronger enforcement of building regulations and greater institutional accountability are essential to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
