Three Contractors Arrested After Deadly Building Collapse in Chawri Bazar

Authorities in Faridabad, Haryana, apprehended three contractors linked to the tragic collapse of a three-story building under construction in Chawri Bazar's Gali Sheesh Mahal area. Those arrested include Tajuddin, son of Samuddin, residing at 4409 Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi; Furkan, son of Abdul Hafeez, living at 2994 Gali Nali Wali, Shahganj Chowk, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi; and Siraj, son of Lieutenant Abdul Sakoor, from H.No. 4282 Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi.

The incident occurred in Old Delhi, also known as Delhi-6, on Thursday at approximately 9:50 AM when the under-construction structure crumbled. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives, while five others sustained injuries. The deceased have been identified as Kishori (40) and Sanjeet (45), residents of the Railway Colony in Mandawali. Officials fear that more individuals may still be trapped beneath the debris.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site to assess the situation and mandated a thorough investigation. She stated that officials who ignored safety standards would not be spared and directed authorities to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the contractors involved. In a related action, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suspended two officials, a Junior Engineer (JE) and an Assistant Engineer (AE), in connection with the building's collapse. They also urged the public to adhere to safety protocols during construction activities.

Details of the Collapse

The Delhi Fire Service reported receiving an alert about the building's collapse around 9:50 AM at Gali Shahtara, located directly across from the Chawri Bazar Metro Station. A fire service official disclosed that two deceased individuals were retrieved from the wreckage by their team. Prior to the team’s arrival, locals had already rescued five other individuals and transported them to hospitals. Multiple firefighting vehicles, operating under the oversight of senior officials, were deployed in the ongoing rescue efforts, which are expected to continue in the search for additional victims.

Causes of the Collapse

A senior MCD official explained that the site where the three-story building is located, with ongoing work on a fourth floor, measures 50 square meters. Notably, the construction project did not have a sanctioned building plan, and the MCD had not received any complaints regarding the construction. The official indicated that work had been halted about 15 days prior to the accident. At the time of the collapse, laborers were in the process of removing supports from the roof. Investigators suggested that substandard materials were used in the construction, which may have contributed to the collapse.

Evacuations and Response

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohit Rajbir Singh reported that the building, located in the Hauz Qazi area, had reached the third floor before it caved in during the installation of the roof for the fourth floor. He confirmed that residents from surrounding buildings were successfully evacuated, as one adjacent structure also exhibited signs of instability. The police have identified the contractor involved and are actively pursuing his arrest, indicating that the construction was carried out without proper authorization.

According to the DCP, approximately 10 to 15 workers were on-site at the time of the incident. The police have registered a case under Section 105 of the Indian Penal Code against the building owners and contractors involved.

Currently, two of the injured, Sahadev Chaudhary (25) and Firoz (37), both residents of Mandawali, are hospitalized in stable condition after the incident. Several others sustained minor injuries and were released after receiving preliminary treatment.