Delhi building collapse: CM Rekha Gupta orders inquiry, FIR against contractor

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the three-storey under construction building collapse, while also directing the registration of an FIR against the contractor.

Gupta also ordered immediate suspension of the concerned junior engineer (JE) and assistant engineer (AE).

The chief minister visited the site with senior officials and said that no official, who is found guilty of negligence in overseeing safety norms would be spared. She also appealed to the public to adhere to safety rules during construction.

Two killed, four injured as three-storey building collapses in Delhi’s Chawri Bazar

"Here, construction was under way for a ground-plus-two-floor building. Further investigation is going on. However, the municipal corporation has suspended its JE and AE and registered an FIR against the contractor who was constructing this building," Gupta told reporters.

"The way people are ignoring safety and security while constructing their homes is dangerous to their own lives. Whatever construction it may be, it must be carried out keeping safety and security in mind, and any official who overlooks such negligence will not be spared either," she said.

She further said that action would be taken against those named in the FIR, while also directing officials to ensure best possible medical care for the injured and proved immediate ex-gratia assistance to the affected families.

"Stringent action will be taken against those found responsible, in accordance with the law," the chief minister said.

Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, who accompanied Gupta to the spot, said the government was planning to introduce new construction norms for heritage areas in the Walled City.

The building collapsed around 9.50 am in Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazar Metro station, police said. Two bodies were pulled out from the debris by a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) rescue team, while four injured people were taken to a hospital by locals before fire department teams arrived, an official said.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained, police said, adding that more people were feared trapped under the debris.

An MCD official said construction work at the building had been halted around 15 days ago.

The structure collapsed while workers were removing support system beneath the roof.

"The material used was non-engineered and had not set properly, which eventually led to the collapse," the official said.

Multiple teams, including fire units, are engaged in rescue operations.

(With PTI inputs)