Delhi MCD Orders Immediate Sealing Of Illegal Structures Above 4 Floors, Guilty Officials To Be Dismissed

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Sunday ordered the immediate sealing of all illegal constructions exceeding four floors following the collapse of a five-storey building in Satya Niketan that killed six people and injured several others.

“All illegal constructions with more than four floors will be immediately sealed, and strict action will be taken against the guilty officials, leading to their immediate dismissal,” the civic body said.

The MCD said the orders would take effect immediately. The Satya Niketan building, which was being used as paying-guest accommodation, collapsed on Sunday afternoon, triggering a major rescue operation.

Building reportedly constructed in the 1990s

According to an MCD report, the collapsed property, identified as P-14 Satya Niketan, stood on a plot of around 55 square yards and consisted of a basement, ground floor and first to fourth floors. The structure was reportedly constructed in the 1990s.

The report stated that there was “no record of booking or sealing available” and that no complaints regarding construction work at the property had been received.

A senior civic official said the building had no sanctioned plan and that construction carried out in the basement was unauthorised.

The rescue operation involved the Delhi Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force and police personnel, while students and local residents also rushed to the site to assist in the initial rescue efforts.

Basement alterations, fifth floor under scrutiny

Officials are investigating unauthorised alterations made to the basement, which they said could not have been legally approved in an existing structure because of safety concerns.

“Permission for changes in basement of a standing structure cannot be granted. It is hazardous. It is the failure of the field staff to detect the activity,” the official said.

The official also said the fifth floor was not permitted under Floor Area Ratio (FAR) regulations.

MCD officials said resettlement colonies have standard unit plans and that property owners cannot expand structures beyond those provisions. However, the grant of freehold rights in 2011 is believed to have encouraged widespread expansion and alterations in properties across such colonies.

Construction work under investigation

Police have registered an FIR against building owner Hariram Bansal and others. Renovation and construction work reportedly underway at the property before the collapse is also being investigated.

Authorities are examining whether structural alterations, ongoing construction or other violations weakened the building. The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been determined.

Six deaths reported

The AIIMS JPN Apex Trauma Centre received 10 patients following the incident. Five were declared dead on arrival, while another patient who was initially in critical condition later died during treatment.

Three patients remain admitted and are undergoing treatment. One underwent limb surgery, while another suffered minor injuries and was discharged after observation.

Satya Niketan becomes a major student hub

Satya Niketan was among around 45 resettlement colonies developed in the 1970s. Its proximity to Delhi University’s South Campus gradually transformed the area from a low-rise resettlement colony into a major hub for student accommodation.

According to civic officials, property owners have increasingly added rooms and floors to existing structures to meet the growing demand for accommodation near educational institutions.