The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has held the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) responsible for a building collapse that happened on March 30, 2012 at Prasad Nagar in the Karol Bagh zone, in which four persons died. The NHRC has issued a notice to the Delhi Chief Secretary to show cause why it should not recommend monetary relief of Rs.3 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
The NHRC has observed that the “callousness, negligence and inaction” on the part of the MCD officials for the collapse of the structure was clearly established. The defence advanced by the civic agency about the information on unauthorised construction sent to Prasad Nagar police station and request for taking action under Section 344 (2) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, was an attempt to cover all its responsibilities, stated the Commission.
After careful consideration of expert opinions from structural engineers and Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, NHRC Member Justice D. Murugesan found that the main cause of the collapse of the building was inadequate structural design and insufficient strength of concrete used. The NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary to submit a report within six weeks stating the action taken or contemplated against the officers responsible for the negligence.
The Joint Commissioner of Police through his communication in July 2012 had indicated that as soon as the construction began, Prasad Nagar police had intimated the MCD Control Room on March 9. On March 10, a complaint was lodged by the local police with the L-G’s Office. Intimation was given in writing to the Deputy Commissioner, MCD, Karol Bagh Zone, by Prasad Nagar Station House Officer on March 13.
However, the local police did not receive any instructions from the MCD to stop work till the building collapsed on March 30. Section 475 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act mandates the police only to inform the civic agency about the unauthorised construction. The police can act only after it receives instructions to stop the construction.
