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The Supreme Court has been urged to direct the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to disclose the action taken against illegal and unauthorised constructions across the capital following the collapse of a five-storey building in Saidulajab that killed six people and injured at least 14 others. A court-appointed amicus curiae has sought a comprehensive affidavit detailing enforcement measures, structural audits and action against erring officials. The plea highlights alleged regulatory failures despite repeated bookings of the building for unauthorised construction over more than a decade. The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of illegal constructions in Delhi and broader judicial concerns regarding violations of building regulations, land-use norms and municipal enforcement mechanisms.
The Supreme Court has been asked to direct the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to submit a detailed account of the action taken against illegal constructions in the national capital after a five-storey building in Delhi's Saidulajab area collapsed in the past week, killing six people and injuring at least 14. The intervention was sought by a court-appointed amicus curiae, who alleged serious regulatory lapses and failures in enforcement despite repeated records of unauthorised construction at the site.
The plea was filed by senior advocate and amicus curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha through advocate Govind Jee in a status report submitted to the apex court. The report sought urgent judicial intervention, arguing that the Saidulajab incident reflected a wider pattern of unchecked illegal construction and shortcomings in municipal oversight.
The collapse occurred at an allegedly unauthorised building located on Western Marg in Said-ul-Azaib. According to municipal records cited in the report, the structure had been booked for violations on multiple occasions. The first instance was recorded in 2012, followed by further action in 2015 relating to the construction of additional floors. Despite these records, the report alleged that no effective enforcement measures were implemented and construction activity continued over the years. The addition of fourth and fifth floors shortly before the collapse was cited as a key concern.
The amicus contended that the MCD failed to discharge its statutory responsibilities by not taking timely action, including sealing the premises or preventing further construction despite repeated indications of violations. The report requested the court to direct the civic body to file an affidavit outlining surveys conducted, enforcement measures undertaken and action taken against unauthorised constructions and illegal use of residential premises within its jurisdiction.
In addition to seeking accountability from the MCD, the report called for structural audits of properties falling within the municipal corporation's jurisdiction. It proposed that illegal structures identified through the exercise should be sealed or demolished within a defined timeframe. The amicus also sought a detailed explanation from the civic body on how the Saidulajab building was permitted to continue construction despite multiple recorded violations and whether disciplinary action had been initiated against officials responsible for oversight.
The status report further sought action taken reports from the Delhi government and Delhi Police regarding the collapse, including details on any alleged involvement of municipal officials. It also requested that the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi provide details on compensation measures for the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
The development follows broader concerns expressed by the Supreme Court earlier this year regarding widespread violations of building regulations and illegal land-use conversions. The Saidulajab collapse has intensified scrutiny of municipal enforcement systems and renewed focus on compliance with construction and safety regulations across Delhi.
Source - PTI
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