An Old Delhi building reportedly connected to former Minister Asim Ahmed Khan was demolished on Tuesday by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation for unauthorised construction.
Mr. Khan, who held the Food and Civil Supplies and Environment portfolios, was sacked from the Cabinet by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on October 9 after allegedly being caught asking for Rs. 6 lakh from a builder to allow certain construction in his Matia Mahal constituency.
In the transcript of the audio clip released by the government, Mr. Khan is talking to an unidentified man about ‘two registries’ and asks ‘have you checked the site’.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Tuesday, the building department of the North Corporation carried out a demolition drive at the five-storey building at 2585 and 2586 Gali Shanker in Kuccha Pandit ward.
“The building of 36 square yards has come up illegally. We demolished the roofs of the first, second, and third floor using gas cutters and action on the remaining floors will be taken soon,” said an engineering department official. Area councillor Rakesh Kumar, who is also of the AAP, said the building was “an interest” of Mr. Khan.
“It is not clear who the owner of the building is but, associates of the MLA were involved in the construction and he had some stake in it for sure,” said Mr. Kumar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr Khan did not respond to the phone calls and text messages sent to seek his reaction.
MCD Councillor Mr Kumar alleged that illegal construction in the area was happening with the “support” of Mr. Khan and with the connivance of municipal officials. The Deputy Commissioner of the City Zone, under which the area falls, A. Nedunchezhiyan, was repatriated back to the Delhi Government on October 9 – the same the day Minister was removed.