First big action after Delhi hostel collapse: 5 MCD officials suspended

Five officials, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s South Zone Deputy Commissioner, have been suspended after a five-storey building housing a private hostel collapsed in Satya Niketan on Sunday, killing seven people.

An office order issued by the MCD Vigilance Department on September 7 stated that “Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, South Zone, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect as per DMC Services (Control & Appeal) Regulations, 1959.

He will be paid a subsistence allowance as admissible under the rules.” Kumar is a promoted IAS officer from the Bihar cadre. In four separate orders, the civic body also suspended Executive Engineer Lalit Kumar, Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh, Assistant Engineer Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer Ashish Kumar.

MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi said, "… A major decision has been taken by us so that no negligence is tolerated anywhere in Delhi. Although a magisterial inquiry has been ordered, they [the 5 officials] have been suspended in the meantime.

Our Chief Minister and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are fully committed to ensuring that we do not let any loss of life or property occur. In the future, if any building of more than four storeys is constructed and negligence is found, that building will be sealed immediately.

Along with that, strict action, in addition to suspension, will be taken against the officer responsible." Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has also called a high-level meeting with different department heads over the incident.

The L-G is likely to take several major decisions during the meeting which will be held later this afternoon. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as well as senior officials from the Delhi Development Authority, MCD and Delhi Police are expected to attend the meeting.

On Sunday afternoon, the building located in the heart of Satya Niketan near Delhi University’s South Campus came crashing. The structure was reportedly weak, and the owner was allegedly carrying out construction work in the basement, which may have led to the collapse.

Residents alleged that there were cracks and extensive seepage in the building, and extra floors were constructed that weakened the structure. They also alleged that several similar buildings are being operated in the locality in violation of norms, with civic officials allegedly turning a blind eye.

Police have apprehended the owner, Hariram Bansal, from Bhiwadi in Haryana. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him after he was found missing from his Gurgaon home. Police teams are also conducting searches to nab other persons, including the contractor, who are allegedly accountable for the collapse.

Rescue operations are continuing, with officials suspecting a few more students may still be trapped under the rubble.