Saidulajab building collapse probe links alleged illegal floors to Rs 1.8 crore contract

Delhi Police investigating the Saidulajab building collapse that killed six say two allegedly illegal additional floors were part of a Rs 1.8 crore contract. Police have arrested owner Karamveer and contractors Manish Khatri and Avinesh Gupta, and are questioning them on how the construction was carried out and whether others were involved.

Investigators looking into the Saidulajab building collapse in south Delhi found that two extra floors, allegedly built illegally, were linked to a contract of about Rs 1.8 crore. Officials shared this on Wednesday. The structure fell on May 30 and six people died. Police are checking how the work proceeded and who else may be responsible.

Delhi Police has arrested building owner Karamveer and two contractors, Manish Khatri and Avinesh Gupta. Police sources said Khatri and Gupta were caught near their lawyers office in Vasant Kunj on Tuesday. The arrests followed a tip-off. Investigators are questioning all three to track roles and decisions.

Saidulajab building collapse probe focuses on Rs 1.8 crore contract

During the probe, police found the contract was given about three months earlier. It was for building two more floors on the same property. The building originally had four floors. Sources said one extra floor was almost finished. Work on another floor was still going on when the collapse happened.

Sources said Khatris construction firm has worked across Saidulajab and Paryavaran Complex for nearly eight years. Police suspect Khatri is also related to Karamveer. Investigators say Khatri had worked on at least two other buildings owned by Karamveer. Police are checking if this link affected oversight and permissions.

Saidulajab building collapse probe checks design limits and foundation capacity

Preliminary findings suggest the building, made around eight years ago, was not designed for added load. Investigators believe the basement and foundation had limited load-bearing capacity. Yet the extra floors were built despite these limits. Engineers assisting police are reviewing whether the structure could handle any extension at all.

Police also learnt construction stopped briefly a few days before May 30. Sources said there was a dispute over payments. Investigators are checking if the pause changed work methods later. Police are also reviewing labour arrangements and site conditions during the final days before the building fell.

Saidulajab building collapse probe examines basement water tank excavation

Investigators are assessing another factor linked to the collapse. A water tank was reportedly being installed in the basement. Excavation for it was done shortly before the incident, officials suspect. The digging may have weakened the already fragile structure. Engineers are studying the combined effect of excavation and added floors.

Police said documents are being examined, including building plans and technical reports. Financial transactions linked to the work are also under review. Preliminary findings indicate no approval was taken for the two upper floors. Investigators believe the work proceeded without sanctioned plans, and they are checking who arranged this.

After Delhi Police contacted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, action also began in the locality. Sources said around 100 buildings in the area were identified for checks. Notices were issued asking occupants to vacate buildings seen as potentially unsafe. Officials said these steps aimed to reduce risks while the probe continues.

With inputs from PTI