By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
NEW DELHI: Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the October 7 building collapse in New Seemapuri, which claimed four lives, directing the District Magistrate (North-East) to investigate the circumstances and establish accountability.
The inquiry will examine the exact causes of the collapse, possible violations of building regulations and safety norms, and alleged negligence by individuals, government departments and civic agencies.
The four-to-five-storey residential building, located at House No. E-402 on a plot measuring just 20–25 square yards, collapsed at around 3 pm on October 7, 2026.
Following the incident, three adjoining structures sustained major damage. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) declared them unsafe and ordered their evacuation.
Demolition work under scanner
Preliminary local inquiries suggest that demolition work involving heavy machinery at an adjacent unauthorised construction site may have triggered the collapse due to vibrations.
The inquiry will also examine concerns over structurally weak residential buildings in the locality, particularly those constructed on small plots without adequate structural columns and beams.
Accountability and safety measures
The District Magistrate has been tasked with identifying violations of building laws and safety regulations by property owners, tenants and other private individuals. The probe will also investigate possible lapses or omissions by government departments, civic agencies and their officials.
The inquiry will recommend stringent legal action against those found responsible and examine the implementation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, while suggesting long-term preventive measures to avert similar tragedies.
Reacting to the incident, Sood said, “No guilty person or lax official will be spared.”
He described the loss of lives as deeply tragic and said the immediate priority was to support affected families. He also stressed the need for strict enforcement of structural safety regulations to prevent such incidents in Delhi.
The magisterial inquiry is expected to establish accountability and identify measures to strengthen building safety enforcement across the national capital.
