Delhi Building Collapse: FIR Says Owner Built Extra Floors for More Rent

A residential building has collapsed in the Satya Niketan area of Delhi, prompting an official investigation into the incident. According to the FIR filed by police, the building's owner had illegally added four extra floors in order to increase rental income, a decision that investigators believe may have contributed to the structural failure.

Nitesh, a survivor who was pulled alive from the debris, recounted the moments before the collapse. He said he heard a loud sound, similar to water rushing quickly from a tap, just before the structure gave way. His account has offered one of the few first-hand descriptions of the incident so far.

In response to the collapse, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced that all buildings in the capital will now undergo safety inspections. Civic officials have been given a three-day deadline to submit reports identifying potentially unsafe structures, reflecting growing concern over unauthorised construction practices across the city.

Financial details connected to the property have also emerged as part of the investigation. Reports indicate that one flat in the building had been priced at 28 lakh rupees, although further specifics mentioned in the FIR — including a reference to only 19 units or approvals — remain unclear based on currently available information. Authorities are expected to examine these figures more closely as the probe develops.

The incident has reignited debate over the enforcement of building regulations in Delhi, where illegal construction and unauthorised additions have long been a recurring concern. Officials have indicated that the citywide inspection drive is intended not only to assess the safety of existing structures but also to identify accountability among builders and owners who violate construction norms.

As the investigation continues, authorities say further details about the causes of the collapse, as well as any regulatory failures that may have allowed the illegal construction to proceed unchecked, are expected to emerge in the coming days.