'Zero tolerance': MCD deputy commissioner among 5 officials suspended after Satya Niketan building collapse | India News

Delhi's civic body suspended five officials, including a deputy commissioner, on Monday, a day after a building that housed a PG facility collapsed in Satya Niketan area.Less than 24 hours later, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) cracked the whip against the officials—all from its South Zone. At least seven people have died in the incident.MCD commissioner Sanjiv Khirwar told HT that officials have "zero tolerance" against unauthorised construction and that the building department will be made accountable in such cases.Track LIVE updates here According to Monday's orders—reported first by HT's website—the five officials suspended are:Rakesh Kumar: Deputy Commissioner, South ZoneRanvir Singh: Superintending Engineer, South ZoneLalit Kumar Goel: Executive Engineer (Building), South ZoneSunil Chauhan: Assistant Engineer (Building), South ZoneAshish Kumar: Junior Engineer (Building)The suspension order said that the officers have been suspended with immediate effect pending disciplinary proceedings and that they will be paid their subsistence allowance in accordance with the rules. This action from the MCD also comes as part of a wider crackdown against unauthorised construction and misuse of premises.Between June 1 and September 3, 2026, the civic body carried out demolition at 983 properties, sealed 464 properties, issued 1,516 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction and 708 sealing show-cause notices, and issued 726 demolition orders.Also Read | Delhi hostel owner held from Rajasthan after building collapse kills 7A three-month survey of residential areas was also conducted by the civic body to identify commercial misuse of residential properties.Satya Niketan collapse: 7 killedA building in a congested colony in Delhi's Satya Niketan area collapsed on Sunday afternoon. According to officials, ongoing construction in the basement of the boys' paying guest accommodation caused structural damage to the building, ultimately leading to its collapse.The search and rescue operation for missing people, primarily students, has now entered its second day.As the operation continues, the Delhi government has also ordered “immediate sealing” of illegal structures with four floors or more.Also Read | Collapse at 1:30 pm to night-long rescue: Blow-by-blow of Delhi's Satya Niketan PG tragedy"All illegal constructions with more than four floors will be immediately sealed, and strict action will be taken against the guilty officials, leading to their immediate dismissal,” read a notice issued by the MCD on Monday.According to the Delhi civic body, the collapsed property, identified as P-14 Satya Niketan, stood on a plot measuring around 55 square yards and comprised a basement and ground to fourth floor.The structure was reportedly built in the 1990s, with no record of bookings, sealing or complaints received with regard to the property.A senior official also told HT that no sanctioned building plan existed for the structure in Satya Niketan, adding that the construction in the basement was "unauthorised."