Saket building collapse: 6 dead, MCD blamed for illegal construction

A devastating five-storey commercial building collapse in Delhi's Saket area on the evening of May 30, 2026, resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals and left eight others injured. The building, located on Westend Marg in the Saidulajab area near Saket Metro Station, was a hub for coaching centers, cafes, and offices, frequented by numerous students and young professionals. The collapse occurred around 7:40 PM, causing the structure to pancake, with upper floors crashing onto lower ones and debris falling onto a neighboring canteen, which was popular among students preparing for competitive examinations. Eyewitness accounts described a sudden, deafening roar followed by a massive cloud of dust that engulfed the area, creating panic and confusion as people scrambled for safety. Survivors recounted terrifying moments of trying to escape the chaos, with some witnessing the building crumble into the ground within seconds. The adjacent canteen, run by Parvati Ojha, was severely impacted, and she was among the six fatalities. Other victims included three engineers—Kapil, Nalin Rai, and Alok Verma—and two doctors, Ravi Verma and Ekta, who were reportedly having dinner at the canteen at the time of the incident. A multi-agency rescue operation, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and local police, commenced immediately and continued for over 20 hours. Specialized equipment, including victim-location cameras and acoustic listening devices, along with trained canine squads and earthmovers, were deployed in the search for survivors. The last body was retrieved on the afternoon of Sunday, May 31, 2026, concluding the intensive rescue efforts. Preliminary investigations and subsequent inquiries pointed towards illegal and unauthorized construction as the primary cause of the collapse. It was revealed that the building, originally a four-storey structure built around 2014, had additional floors constructed without proper approvals. The owner, Karamveer (71), was reportedly earning a substantial monthly rent of around ₹10 lakh from the existing four floors and was planning to add two more. Evidence suggested that these additional floors, including a third and fourth floor that were reportedly illegally added, put an immense strain on the building's structural integrity. The Delhi Police registered an FIR under charges of culpable homicide against the absconding building owner and two contractors. In response to the tragedy, two Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) engineers were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty and negligence. Further investigations, including a magisterial probe ordered by the Delhi government and a study by IIT-Delhi, were initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse. A significant development came with the submission of a magisterial probe report on July 28, 2026, which found the MCD "primarily responsible" for the disaster. The report concluded that the collapse was preventable and attributed it to the civic body's failure to enforce building bylaws and act against illegal construction. It also alleged that MCD officials fabricated records, including show-cause and work-stop notices, to mislead the inquiry after the incident. The probe rejected the MCD's claim that excavation for an underground water tank triggered the collapse, stating it lacked technical evidence. The report recommended accountability for officials at all levels, mandatory structural safety audits, stricter inspections, and improved enforcement mechanisms to prevent future tragedies. The investigation into the owner and contractors is ongoing, with a chargesheet filed by the police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest