SC-appointed amicus curiae seeks direction to MCD on action taken against illegal constructions

Supreme Court Amicus Curiae Urges MCD to Address Illegal Construction Issues

Tragedy in Saidulajab Sparks Legal Action

SC appointed amicus curiae seeks direction - A court-appointed legal advisor has petitioned the Supreme Court for guidance on measures taken by the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) to combat unauthorized constructions in the city. The request follows a catastrophic incident in the Saidulajab neighborhood, where a five-story building collapse resulted in six fatalities and injuries to at least 14 individuals on May 30.

The incident prompted a review of building regulations and municipal oversight. In March, a bench of justices, including Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan, raised concerns during a Tamil Nadu-related hearing, highlighting systemic lapses in enforcing construction laws across India.

Call for Nationwide Inquiry

The court directed a comprehensive investigation into residential property misuse and illegal land conversions. This initiative aimed to address widespread violations, including repeated notices issued by municipal authorities against the Saidulajab building.

Ajit Kumar Sinha, a senior advocate and appointed amicus curiae, filed a status report on June 4 through advocate Govind Jee. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the disaster exposed deep-rooted issues in the city’s construction governance.

"The collapse underscores a critical failure in regulatory compliance and enforcement," Sinha stated in the report.

History of Violations

The report cited municipal records showing that the Saidulajab structure had been flagged for unauthorized construction since 2012. Subsequent notices in 2015 targeted additional floors, yet no decisive action was taken to halt the expansion.

Despite multiple alerts, the building was allowed to grow to four and five stories just days before the collapse. The amicus curiae argued that the MCD neglected its responsibilities, failing to seal the site or stop further construction.

Legal Demands for Accountability

The petition urges the MCD to submit an affidavit detailing inspections and actions against illegal constructions within its jurisdiction. It also calls for mandatory structural audits and timely demolition of non-compliant structures.

"The MCD must clarify how the five-story building was permitted to proceed despite prior violations," the report stated.

Additionally, the case seeks a response from the Delhi government and police regarding their steps to investigate the incident. The petition also demands a compensation plan for the victims’ families.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to the text.