A magisterial inquiry into the collapse of an unauthorised four-storey building in Saidulajab, South Delhi, has concluded that the tragedy was preventable and primarily resulted from illegal structural additions and serious failures by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).The building collapsed on May 30 while two additional floors were under construction, killing six people and damaging nearby properties.

According to the 80-page report submitted by the South Delhi district magistrate, MCD officials failed to act on complaints about unauthorised construction received as early as March, did not carry out timely inspections, and neglected enforcement measures that could have prevented the disaster.

The inquiry further alleged that certain officials retrospectively created inspection records, including show-cause and work-stop notices, to give the impression that action had been taken before the collapse.The report stated that these documents appeared to have been prepared to mislead investigators and conceal administrative lapses.

It also rejected attempts to attribute the collapse to excavation work for an underground water tank, saying there was no technical evidence supporting that claim.

While the inquiry cleared the Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board and BSES of wrongdoing, it criticised shortcomings in the emergency medical response, noting that one victim was referred between multiple hospitals before being declared dead.

The report recommended fixing accountability at both field and supervisory levels, conducting mandatory structural safety audits, introducing GIS-based monitoring of vulnerable buildings, strengthening inter-agency coordination, improving emergency medical preparedness, and taking disciplinary action against officials found negligent under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.