New Delhi, November 19th, 2010
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on the collapse of a building at Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar in East Delhi on the 15th November, 2010 that claimed more than 67 lives.
Allegedly the Municipal Corporation of Delhi served notices to 38 buildings with flooded basements in Laxmi Nagar area asking the residents to leave within 24 hours even as a blame game within the Corporation is going on over the issue of illegal constructions. No official is willing to comment on how illegal floors were allowed to be constructed in the building which collapsed. The MCD has no record. The earliest record of the building dates back to 1971 when it was just a one room establishment.

It has also been reported that on receipt of an appeal against rampant illegal construction in the zone, the Information Commissioner, Mr. Shailesh Gandhi in his complaint filed in November, 2009 before the Anti-Corruption Branch pointed out that four storey buildings in the area had come up without even applying for the approval, and it appeared that there is a clear modus operandi to ensure construction of illegal buildings without any hindrance.

The Commission observed on the 19th November, 2010 that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the people, who died in the incident.
The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi calling upon them to submit a report in the matter within four weeks.

The Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and the Commissioner, MCD shall also inform the Commission:

1. What action is proposed to be taken against the erring public officials who are responsible for construction of such illegal buildings;
2. What action is proposed to be taken for the safety of the persons who are living in the 38 unsafe buildings, as identified by the MCD;
3. What action is proposed to be taken for the medial treatment of the survivors including ex-gratia payment to be paid to the next of the kin of the deceased and the injured.

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