NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reprimanded municipal authorities in Delhi, Gurugram, Lucknow, Patna and Tamil Nadu over illegal constructions and sought reports on the action taken to demolish or shut down unsafe buildings that pose a serious risk to public safety.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan took note of the recent building collapse in Delhi’s Saket and fire incidents in Malviya Nagar and Lucknow’s Aliganj. It directed the constitution of a special team comprising two senior professors from IIT Delhi and two draftsmen to conduct a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar.The officials concerned have also been directed to remain physically present before the court on the next date of hearing on August 4.”We make it clear that there should be no slackness with regard to the committee giving an honest report. If any doubt is raised, we may send a special team from this Court to ensure the honesty of the report,” the apex court said.The bench also warned that accountability would be fixed if authorities failed to act.”We indicate that if, on the next date, we find that no action has been taken, straightaway responsibility would be fixed upon the CEO of the said authority,” it added.Agreeing with the amicus curiae’s submission that authorities were adopting a “face-saving approach” by arresting only builders after building collapses and fire incidents, while taking no action against officials responsible for failing to curb illegal constructions, the court directed the authorities to disclose in their reports the names of senior officials accountable for such failures.In its May 20 order, the court had directed the authorities to take “immediate and effective measures”, including sealing and demolition, against illegal and unauthorised constructions identified during surveys. It had also directed them to disclose the action taken through affidavits personally affirmed by the heads of the authorities concerned.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Railways Clarifies Digital Ticket Rules: Only Original Rail One App Ticket Will Be AcceptedIndia and Australia Finalise Uranium Export Arrangement Under Civil Nuclear AgreementUGC-NET Under Scanner After Alleged Paper Leak; Education Ministry Seeks NTA InvestigationDRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket; Hits Target With Pinpoint AccuracyBuilding Collapses In Delhi’s Rohini; 1 Dead, Several Trapped; Rescue Ops UnderwayPune Building Buried Under Collapsing Garbage Mound, 16 Feared Trapped Amid Heavy Rain FuryShiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Arrested In KDMC Doctors’ Assault Case: PoliceEggs Thrown, ‘Chor-Chor’ Slogans At Mamata Banerjee’s Rally In West BengalRetired Transport Officer’s House Raided: UP Vigilance Recovers ₹1.62 Cr Cash, Gold Worth ₹20 CrOperation Hard Ball: Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar Among 37 Charged In Largest-Ever Int’l Crime Sweep123Photostories’Alliance’ row: Kamya Punjabi stands by Kushal Tandon as Zareen Khan and Uorfi Javed call out his behaviour – all you need to knowPsychology says people who always save the best bite for last often share these personality traitsBryan Johnson’s low iron diagnosis puts spotlight on a hidden health warning doctors say adult men should never ignoreShilpa Shinde’s headline-making journey: False harassment case confession, politics and ‘Bigg Boss’ winRainy season shoe hacks: 7 simple ways to dry wet shoes faster during the monsoon7 stunning pictures from Guwahati Airport’s new terminal that are making travellers stop in their tracksWhy one negative comment from a stranger can overshadow 100 compliments, according to psychologyEven loving parents make these 10 parenting mistakes without realizing itSolar eclipse on August 12: Why NASA says this one is rare”Agar…mil jaye to duniya bhul jaye aadmi”: MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s love for this fiber-rich local dish is so relatable; detailed recipe inside123Hot PicksIndia-AustraliaTiesOmar AbdullahNew EPFO portalMahadev AppNET paper leakMonsoon trackerStock market todayStrait of HormuzAP DEECET rank cardTop TrendingCrude oilRamesh MhatreUS Section 301FIFA World Cup 2026India u19 vs Sri Lanka U19Andhra Hospital MurderWeather todayDelhi NCR rainBihar BDO Wife MurderIran war
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reprimanded municipal authorities in Delhi, Gurugram, Lucknow, Patna and Tamil Nadu over illegal constructions and sought reports on the action taken to demolish or shut down unsafe buildings that pose a serious risk to public safety.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan took note of the recent building collapse in Delhi’s Saket and fire incidents in Malviya Nagar and Lucknow’s Aliganj. It directed the constitution of a special team comprising two senior professors from IIT Delhi and two draftsmen to conduct a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar.The officials concerned have also been directed to remain physically present before the court on the next date of hearing on August 4.“We make it clear that there should be no slackness with regard to the committee giving an honest report. If any doubt is raised, we may send a special team from this Court to ensure the honesty of the report,” the apex court said.The bench also warned that accountability would be fixed if authorities failed to act.“We indicate that if, on the next date, we find that no action has been taken, straightaway responsibility would be fixed upon the CEO of the said authority,” it added.Agreeing with the amicus curiae’s submission that authorities were adopting a “face-saving approach” by arresting only builders after building collapses and fire incidents, while taking no action against officials responsible for failing to curb illegal constructions, the court directed the authorities to disclose in their reports the names of senior officials accountable for such failures.In its May 20 order, the court had directed the authorities to take “immediate and effective measures”, including sealing and demolition, against illegal and unauthorised constructions identified during surveys. It had also directed them to disclose the action taken through affidavits personally affirmed by the heads of the authorities concerned.
