Six killed, several injured in Saidulajab building collapse; illegal construction suspected in South Delhi tragedy

A major building collapse in South Delhi’s Saidulajab area claimed at least six lives and left nine others injured on Saturday evening, triggering renewed concerns over illegal constructions and weak enforcement of building regulations in the capital.

The incident occurred around 7:25 pm when a four-storey building—reportedly housing a co-working space—suddenly collapsed onto an adjacent eatery where several students were having dinner. Officials said two additional floors were under construction at the time, raising further questions about structural safety and regulatory compliance.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, parts of the collapsing structure also damaged a neighbouring building. Rescue operations continued through Sunday as teams combed through debris in search of possible survivors. The immediate cause of the collapse has not yet been determined.

Officials identified the deceased as Ravi Prakash (26), a doctor; Ekta (23); Kapil (26); Alok Verma (23); Nalin Rai (23), all engineering graduates; and Parvati Ojha (39), who operated the eatery at the site. Most of the injured were students or young professionals preparing for competitive examinations or pursuing medical and engineering careers.

Authorities said seven injured persons were undergoing treatment in hospitals, while two had been discharged by Sunday evening.

Eyewitnesses described a sudden loud noise followed by thick clouds of dust, initially mistaken for a storm. Survivors said the collapse happened too quickly for most people inside the eatery or nearby coaching institutes to react or escape.

Rescue worker response has come under scrutiny from survivors and families, who alleged delays and lack of advanced equipment during the operation. Some claimed that only limited cutting tools were available initially and that modern scanning devices were not deployed promptly to locate trapped victims.

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Police have registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, endangering life, and negligent construction practices. The case has been filed against unknown individuals while investigators work to identify the building’s owners and those responsible for the construction activity.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended two engineers in connection with the incident, while the Delhi government has ordered a detailed inquiry. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that strict action will be taken against all those involved in unauthorised construction.

Preliminary findings suggest that the building was part of an unauthorised colony developed on agricultural land, with no approved layout or sanctioned building plan. Officials noted that no new constructions are permitted in the Saidulajab area, which has seen rapid, unregulated development in recent years.

The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, particularly students living and studying in the densely packed neighbourhood near Saket Metro station. Several victims were young aspirants preparing for competitive exams, while others had recently achieved academic milestones.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more victims being trapped under the debris.