NEW DELHI | September 9, 2026 — The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) began demolishing unauthorised structures in Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar on Wednesday, following Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s directive for strict action against illegal construction after the Satya Niketan building collapse. The drive, however, drew allegations from residents who claimed that enforcement was being applied selectively.
An MCD official said the properties targeted during the operation had already been booked for unauthorised construction. One of the buildings had approval for a ground floor and four floors, but an additional portion was constructed on top, the official said. After a notice was issued, the civic body began demolishing the building completely.
“This property is booked under ‘unauthorised construction’. We are initiating demolition action against it. They have plans for a ground floor plus four floors. But they have constructed an extra portion on top. We gave them a notice. Now we are demolishing this building completely,” the official said.
The official added that one or two other buildings in the area had also been booked and could face similar action. The MCD said further demolition action could be taken against other properties found to have recorded violations.
Residents questioned the extent and selection of the enforcement action. Ronit Sohan alleged that several six-storey buildings had been constructed in Pandav Nagar despite allegedly violating construction norms, while action was concentrated on certain properties. He also alleged corruption involving builders and MCD officials.
“We are poor people. Our houses had been demolished earlier, and they are demolishing them now as well,” Sohan said. He further alleged that residents were being asked for bribes and claimed that people approaching the police with complaints were also asked for money. These allegations were reported by the Times of India and were not independently established in the report.
Another resident, identified as Sunita, alleged that unauthorised construction was widespread but that enforcement action was focused on a limited group of residents. “Everybody is doing illegal construction, but action is only taken against us,” she said, according to the report.
The demolition drive follows the collapse of a building in Satya Niketan, in which seven people were killed and several others were injured. After the incident, Gupta directed the MCD to take strict action against illegal construction in multiple parts of Delhi, including through demolition where required.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the chief minister also instructed senior civic officials to remain present on the ground during the enforcement exercise. The directions were issued as part of a wider action against unsafe and unauthorised structures in the capital.
Gupta additionally ordered intensive inspections of paying guest hostels across Delhi. Officials were directed to identify illegal construction on hostel premises and take action against violations. The inspection and demolition exercise is expected to continue under the directions issued to the civic administration.
