Saidulajab collapse chargesheet cites unauthorised floors and basement excavation

The fifth and sixth floors added to a four-storey building in Saidulajab increased its load before it collapsed on May 30, Mehrauli police have said in a chargesheet filed at Saket court.

The nearly 350-page document says the additions were not approved by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and no fire no-objection certificate had been obtained. It also alleges that excavation of a basement for an underground water tank further weakened the structure. Six people died in the collapse.

Police have named property owner Karamveer Singh and builders Manish Khatri and Anivash in the case. They have been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, dangerous negligence during construction work, and endangering life or personal safety through negligence.

Concrete samples from the building have been sent for forensic examination. Police said that report will form part of a supplementary chargesheet. The court is scheduled to hear the matter on August 22.