Magistrate Inquiry Ordered into New Seemapuri Building Collapse in Delhi
Delhis government initiates a magistrate inquiry into a building collapse that claimed four lives, aiming for accountability and future safety.
New Seemapuri, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Delhi’s Home and Urban Development Minister, Ashish Sood, has ordered a magistrate inquiry into the tragic building collapse in New Seemapuri earlier this month, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals. An official disclosed this information on Friday.
The inquiry will be led by the District Magistrate of Northeast Delhi. It will investigate potential negligence by government agencies and officials, ensuring accountability for those responsible.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident that has cost several precious lives. We have mandated a thorough investigation into every aspect of this tragedy. No negligent official will be spared,” Minister Sood stated.
He emphasized that the immediate priority is to provide assistance to the affected families, while the long-term goal is to enforce structural safety regulations rigorously to prevent such incidents in the future.
The five-story residential building, located at E-402, collapsed on October 7 around 3 PM. The structure was built on a small plot measuring 20-25 square yards, causing significant damage to three nearby buildings, which the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has deemed unsafe and evacuated.
Initial local investigations suggest that the collapse was triggered by demolition activities at an unauthorized construction site nearby, which involved heavy machinery that generated vibrations. Additionally, surrounding residential buildings were found to be poorly constructed without adequate columns or beams.
Minister Sood affirmed that the magistrate inquiry will have the authority to uncover the precise facts, circumstances, and root causes of the collapse.
The investigation will identify violations of laws, building codes, and safety provisions by owners, tenants, or private individuals. It will also scrutinize the negligence of government departments, civic agencies, and their officials to ensure accountability.
Sood indicated that the inquiry would recommend strict legal action against all culpable individuals, agencies, or officials. It will also propose long-term preventive measures to avoid future tragedies while reviewing the implementation of the National Disaster Management Act of 2005.
