New Delhi, May 31: Four people were killed and several others injured after a three-storey commercial building collapsed near Saket Metro Station in South Delhi on Saturday evening, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation and prompting authorities to initiate criminal proceedings, order a magisterial inquiry and suspend civic officials for alleged negligence.
The building, located on Western Marg in the Saidulajab area near Saket Metro Station, came crashing down around 7:35 pm on Saturday. The structure housed coaching institutes, cafes and office spaces and was reportedly undergoing construction work on its upper floor when the collapse occurred.
According to police sources, some of the victims and injured persons were students preparing for the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) Examination. The collapse occurred in an area frequented by medical aspirants, many of whom regularly visited a canteen operating adjacent to the building.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said local police personnel rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about a loud sound followed by reports of a building collapse.
“At around 7:35 pm, our beat staff received information that a loud sound had been heard and a building had collapsed. Within minutes, a PCR call was also received. Teams from Mehrauli Police Station immediately reached the location and found that an old building had collapsed, with debris falling onto a porta-cabin-like structure where a canteen used by medical students was functioning,” Mittal said.
Police said several people were feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams immediately launched operations and evacuated around nine persons during the initial phase. A green corridor was created to facilitate the movement of ambulances and emergency services to hospitals.
The collapsed building was reduced to rubble, with debris spreading across adjoining structures and crushing portions of the nearby canteen area. Many of the injured were trapped beneath concrete slabs and twisted metal structures before being rescued by emergency personnel.
All injured victims were shifted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.
A large-scale rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services (DFS), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Police and local volunteers continued throughout the night.
Rescue personnel deployed heavy earth-moving equipment, hydraulic cutters, victim-location cameras and sniffer dogs to search for survivors trapped beneath the debris. Authorities later confirmed that all trapped persons had been accounted for and the rescue operation was concluded.
Police have registered an FIR and launched a detailed investigation into the incident. A case under provisions relating to culpable homicide has been registered and multiple teams have been tasked with examining all aspects of the collapse, including structural safety violations and possible negligence.
“The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be established. A detailed investigation is underway and all relevant angles are being examined,” officials said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site on Sunday and reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, rescue teams had been working continuously since Saturday night.
The CMO stated that, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, a criminal case was registered at Mehrauli Police Station immediately after the incident. A magisterial inquiry under the supervision of the District Magistrate of South Delhi has also been ordered to determine the circumstances leading to the collapse.
The Chief Minister directed officials to identify and inspect dilapidated and dangerous buildings in the surrounding areas and take immediate corrective measures wherever required.
She further ordered strict action against unauthorised constructions and directed authorities to initiate proceedings against officials found responsible for lapses in enforcement and supervision.
In a significant administrative action following the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suspended two officials from its Building Department.
Deputy Commissioner, South Zone, MCD ordered the suspension of Junior Engineer Aman Jain of Building Department-II on charges of dereliction of duty and negligence. Assistant Engineer Sudesh Singh Chouhan of Building Department-II was also suspended for alleged failure to exercise effective supervision and for negligence in performing official responsibilities.
The suspensions are directly linked to the collapse of the property located in Gali No. 5 on Western Marg, Saidulajab, near Saket Metro Station.
Officials said the magisterial inquiry, police investigation and departmental proceedings will seek to determine whether construction violations, structural weaknesses, illegal alterations or administrative lapses contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has once again raised concerns over building safety, unauthorised construction activities and enforcement mechanisms in the national capital, particularly in densely populated commercial areas where old structures continue to operate despite visible signs of deterioration.
Authorities said further action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation and inquiry.
