Tragedy in Chawri Bazar: Under-Construction Building Collapses, Two Dead

New Delhi:  Alleged negligence regarding building safety and construction practices in the national capital has claimed two more lives. On Thursday morning, a three-story building under construction in Gali Shish Mahal, located in the Chawri Bazar area of ​​Old Delhi, suddenly collapsed. Within moments, debris from the structure spread across the street and the surrounding area, sparking panic and cries for help. Amidst fears that people might be trapped beneath the rubble, joint teams from the Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Delhi Fire Service, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) immediately launched a rescue operation. So far, four individuals have been pulled from the debris; two have died, while the other two sustained injuries but are reported to be out of danger.

Building collapses at 9:48 AM; laborers trapped in the rubble

According to reports, the three-story building under construction in Gali Shish Mahal, Chawri Bazar, collapsed suddenly at approximately 9:48 AM. Upon receiving news of the incident, police and fire department teams arrived at the scene. Subsequently, a large-scale rescue operation was initiated with the assistance of the NDRF and the MCD. Relief and rescue teams worked to clear the debris and extract those trapped underneath. Four people have been recovered so far.

Grief descends upon the families of the victims

Kishori (40) and Sanjit (45)—both residents of Railway Colony, Mandawali—lost their lives in the incident. Meanwhile, Sahdev Chaudhary (25), son of Dara Chaudhary (a resident of Mandawali), and Firoz (37), son of Tauheed (a resident of Railway Colony, Mandawali), were pulled out injured. Both are reported to be in stable condition and are out of danger. The news of the two deaths has left their respective families in deep mourning. Three contractors arrested; role in construction work under scrutiny

Following the incident, the police initiated strict action by beginning the process of registering a case against the building owners and contractors under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). In connection with this, the police have taken three contractors into custody and subsequently arrested them; they hail from Sirohi village in the Dauj tehsil of Faridabad district.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Siraj, residing at House No. 4282, Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate; Tajuddin, son of Samuddin, residing at House No. 4409, Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi; and Farkan, son of Abdul Hafeez, residing at House No. 2994, Gali Nal Wali, Shahganj Chowk, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi-6. The police have initiated arrest proceedings against the three under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The role of the building owners and whether safety standards were followed during construction are also being investigated. While relief and rescue operations continue, the police are working to determine the causes of the incident and identify those responsible.

Midnight inferno at Gaffar Market; four-story building engulfed in flames

While the collapse of a building in Chawri Bazar shattered the lives of two families, a massive fire caused widespread destruction at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh in the middle of the night. The PCR received a report of a fire at Gaffar Market, located in Chain Wali Gali, at 1:28 AM. A 'Daily Diary' (DD) entry—DD No. 8—was recorded at the Karol Bagh police station. Upon receiving the information, the night-duty staff and the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Karol Bagh police station immediately rushed to the scene.

The fire broke out in shop number 13/21 of the Puri Plaza complex. It is a four-story commercial building primarily used for the trade of mobile phone accessories. According to preliminary information, mobile batteries were stored in a shop on the ground floor. It is suspected that the fire originated there, and within moments, the flames spread to engulf every floor of the building.

20 to 25 fire tenders deployed to tackle the blaze

Given the severity of the fire, 20 to 25 fire tenders were deployed to the scene. Additionally, three CATS ambulances and two police PCR vans arrived at the location. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after a strenuous effort. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far. However, the incident has resulted in property damage, with goods stored in the building and shops being destroyed.

Fire suspected to have been caused by overheating or overcharging of batteries

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that the overheating or overcharging of mobile batteries may have been the cause of the fire. However, the exact cause will only be confirmed following a thorough investigation. Detailed reports will be requested from the Fire Department and the Electrical Inspector. Furthermore, a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will inspect the building to determine if any other flammable materials were present.

Structural safety report for the building to be sought from the MCD

The police have stated that the structural safety of the building will be assessed in the wake of the incident. A safety evaluation and certification will be obtained from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to address concerns regarding the building's structural integrity and to mitigate the risk of future accidents that could endanger lives or property. Further legal action will be taken based on the investigation report. At present, the fire has been completely extinguished, and law and order are being maintained at the site.

Two incidents in a single day raise questions about safety standards

The collapse of a building under construction in Chawri Bazar and the fire triggered by batteries in Gaffar Market have raised serious questions regarding building safety standards and fire protection measures in the capital's busy marketplaces. One incident resulted in the loss of two lives, while the other saw a building in a major commercial hub—a market with a turnover of crores—engulfed in flames. Investigations by the police, the fire department, the FSL, and the MCD will now clarify the actual cause behind these incidents and where the lapses in security occurred.