A Delhi building collapse that killed two people has triggered a municipal inquiry after the MCD found that its owner allegedly continued construction on the second and third floors while presenting the work as repairs, despite an earlier advisory on the structure’s deteriorating condition.
The ground-plus-three-floor building collapsed at around 9.30am in Gali Sheesh Mahal. The structure stood on a plot measuring about 45 square yards. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has suspended the junior engineer and assistant engineer concerned pending an inquiry and submitted a written complaint to Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR against the owner, identified in the preliminary report as Samiullah.
According to the MCD inquiry, its maintenance department issued an advisory to the owner on April 28 after identifying the building’s poor condition. The advisory asked him to undertake strengthening and corrective work under the supervision of a qualified structural engineer and submit a structural stability or safety certificate. It also made clear that the advisory did not amount to permission for reconstruction.
The report said Delhi Police informed the MCD on June 15 that construction activity was taking place at the premises. An inspection was subsequently carried out, during which the owner was found undertaking what was described as repair work. The MCD said it had not received a complaint at that stage alleging fresh construction or complete demolition of the existing structure.
The preliminary inquiry alleges that the owner later carried out new construction on the second and third floors without obtaining the required permissions or informing the civic body. It also stated that the shuttering of the third-floor lintel was removed because of apprehension that ongoing work could be restricted under anti-pollution measures. An official cited in the report said the lintel allegedly collapsed, triggering the failure of the entire building.
The MCD report has also identified a discrepancy in the owner’s property tax declaration. Records show that Samiullah deposited Rs 75,114 on April 22, 2026, under the SUNIYO scheme for the financial years 2020-21 to 2025-26. In his self-assessment return, he declared the property as a ground-plus-four-floor building with a covered area of 80 square metres, while the collapsed structure was recorded as ground-plus-three floors. An official said the declaration could have enabled the owner to seek a future benefit from the higher classification.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of construction enforcement in Delhi, where the report lists recent building collapses in Harsh Vihar, New Seemapuri, Satya Niketan, Said-ul-Ajaib and Rohini. MCD standing committee chairperson Satya Sharma has sought a detailed report from commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar within three days.
The civic body has begun surveying adjoining buildings through qualified structural engineers to assess their safety. It has also noted that construction permissions in the Walled City are subject to specific requirements. Unlike residential plots of up to 105 square metres eligible for approval under the Saral Scheme without physical inspection, plots in the Walled City require a no-objection certificate from the Delhi Urban Art Commission.
Political representatives have made separate allegations about irregular approvals and enforcement in parts of the Walled City, while opposition leaders criticised the suspension of engineers as insufficient to prevent recurring deaths. The MCD inquiry, police complaint, structural survey and commissioner’s report are the next formal steps in establishing responsibility and determining whether further action is required.
