Senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, acting as amicus curiae for the Supreme Court, has drawn attention to the recent collapse of a five-storeyed building in Delhi’s Saket area. The collapse resulted in six deaths and 14 injuries, attributed to unchecked illegal construction over the years. Municipal authorities are criticized for neglecting their duties in preventing such incidents.
The Supreme Court has been investigating nationwide violations of building regulations and land-use laws. The collapsed building in Saidulajab, New Delhi, had a history of unauthorized construction dating back to 2012. Despite repeated violations, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi allegedly failed to take necessary actions, leading to the tragic collapse.
The amicus curiae’s report underlines the building owner’s past legal battles with the Delhi High Court over demolition threats. Despite assurances from the municipal corporation, unauthorized construction continued, culminating in the building’s collapse. The report also questions the sincerity of recent suspensions of engineers following public outcry.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s concerns about unsafe constructions in Delhi, the amicus curiae seeks court directives for thorough surveys and actions against illegal constructions. Structural audits of buildings, demolition of unauthorized structures, and accountability of officials are urged. Additionally, the report calls for compensation to the victims’ families and detailed reports on the collapse.
