New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site of a devastating building collapse near south Delhi’s Saket Metro station on Sunday, where she announced a comprehensive magisterial inquiry and confirmed the registration of a formal criminal case. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved the sudden collapse of a three-storey commercial building, resulting in four confirmed fatalities. Emergency teams successfully rescued eight individuals from the wreckage during the initial response.
Following directives from the Chief Minister, a First Information Report has been formally lodged at the Mehrauli police station to investigate potential negligence. The parallel administrative inquiry will be conducted under the direct supervision of the South District Magistrate to identify the root causes of the structural failure. During her site inspection, Chief Minister Gupta reviewed the ongoing relief operations and instructed administrative officials to ensure that comprehensive medical and financial assistance is extended to all affected families.
The rescue operation remains active as local residents expressed deep fears that additional individuals could still be trapped beneath the heavy structural debris. Addressing these concerns, the Chief Minister assured the public that specialized disaster management agencies are conducting careful, systematic search operations. She also addressed sharp grievances raised by local residents regarding rampant unauthorized construction and a widespread lack of safety compliance in commercial buildings throughout the area, pledging strict punitive action against complicit officials and illegal structures.
High-level coordination continues across multiple governance tiers to manage the aftermath of the tragedy. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu confirmed via social media that multi-agency search and rescue teams remain deployed on-site, with clear directives issued to provide immediate relief. Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood added that evacuation efforts are proceeding on a war footing, with every available municipal and emergency resource mobilized to systematically clear the site and monitor the situation.
