Death toll in Delhi's Chawri Bazar building collapse rises to seven; owner and three contractors arrested

The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction three-storey building in Delhi's Chawri Bazar area has risen to seven, with all seven victims now identified. The building owner and three contractors have been arrested, and the case has been registered as culpable homicide.

Seven victims identified, most from Bihar

Police said the seven deceased were Sanjeet Kumar, Kishori Sah, Pankaj Sharma, Vipin Ram, Shantu, Dinesh Sah and Luchhuman Mukhiya, 66, whose body was recovered on November 8. Six were from Bihar — five from Khagaria and Saharsa districts and one, Mukhiya, from Jakauli in Darbhanga district — and one lived in Delhi's Fazilpur area. The three-storey building under construction collapsed at about 10:30 a.m. on November 5 at Gali Sheesh Mahal, near Ajmeri Gate, and rescue workers have been recovering bodies from the rubble over successive days.

Owner and three contractors arrested on culpable homicide charges

Police said the building owner, Saimullah alias Ayub, and three contractors — Siraj, Tajuddin and Furkan — have been arrested under Section 105 and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The three contractors were picked up in Sirohi village, Faridabad. A preliminary probe by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi found the owner ignored repeated warnings and continued unauthorised construction; the corporation has suspended two engineers, and the Chief Minister has ordered a full inquiry.

(Sources: Indo-Asian News Service; Delhi Police.)

November 8 update: death toll rises to seven; police file details released

Rescue workers recovered a seventh body from the debris on November 8. The victim was identified as Luchhuman Mukhiya, 66, a resident of Jakauli in Bihar's Darbhanga district; the body was taken to LNJP Hospital. Police said a first information report dated November 5 has been registered against all four accused at Hauz Qazi police station, under Sections 105, 290, 125(a) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Rescue work continues.