New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued a demolition order under Section 348 of the DMC Act for House No. 13 in Satya Niketan, declaring the property dangerous and ruinous.

According to the notice issued on September 6, the owner or occupier has been directed to demolish the property within three days of receiving the order. The MCD warned that if the order is not complied with, it will carry out the demolition and recover the expenses incurred as arrears of property tax.

The notice stated that the premises at Building/House No. 13, Satya Niketan, New Delhi, were occupied and found to be in a ‘ruinous/dangerous condition’. It added that the condition of the building posed a potential danger to people occupying, residing in or passing by the premises, as well as those in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The MCD said the Executive Engineer was exercising powers delegated by the Commissioner under Section 348 of the DMC Act, 1957, read with Section 491 of the Act, while issuing the demolition order.

The development comes amid the tragic collapse of a building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday, which left six people dead and several others injured.

The JPN Apex Trauma Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said in its latest bulletin that it had received 11 patients who sustained injuries in the building collapse in Satya Niketan, South-West Delhi.

Of the 11 patients, five were brought dead, while another patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to injuries. Three patients remained admitted and were undergoing treatment, while one patient underwent limb surgery. Another person, who suffered minor injuries, was discharged after being kept under observation.

According to the latest information, six people have died in the incident, while four others sustained injuries. One injured person was discharged following treatment.

Search and rescue operations continued through the night, with officials indicating that several people, including students, were still feared trapped beneath the debris. Rescue personnel continued efforts to locate and safely evacuate those trapped.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of the boys’ paying guest accommodation.

Following an inspection of the accident site, Gupta directed officials to conduct a detailed inquiry into the circumstances that led to the collapse. She also ordered the registration of an FIR against the building owner and said that anyone found responsible would face strict legal action.

“Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of law,” Gupta said after reviewing the situation at the site.

According to the police, an FIR has been registered at the South Campus police station against the alleged owner, Hariram, and others. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel confirmed the registration of the case.

Police said the building was approximately 40-50 years old and comprised a basement and five upper floors. It was being used as paying guest accommodation for students, many of whom were studying at Delhi University’s South Campus. The premises reportedly had rooms to accommodate around 40 people.

The collapse occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, when repair work was reportedly underway in the basement. Officials have also indicated that heavy rainfall may have contributed to the incident.

The rescue operation involved personnel from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

Further details are awaited.

–IANS

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