Supreme Court Warns Civic Bodies: Personal Liability for Unchecked Illegal Constructions
The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over the failure of civic authorities to take effective action against unauthorised constructions in Delhi, Gurugram, and Lucknow, linking these structures to recent deadly fires.
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan stated that “slackness” by municipal bodies would not be tolerated and warned that top officials could face personal liability if action is not taken.
The court was hearing a matter related to a fire at a multi-storey building in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on June 3, which killed 23 people, mostly foreign nationals from Nigeria, Mozambique, Somalia, Liberia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Another fire in Lucknow’s Aliganj on June 22 claimed 15 lives, many of them students aged 16 to 25.
Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, appointed amicus curiae, highlighted that the Malviya Nagar building operated as a bed and breakfast with a restaurant on the ground floor in a congested urban village. He noted that more than 50 people were rescued from that fire.
The court specifically questioned the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for not complying with directions issued in 2024 and specific orders from May 20. Additional Solicitor General S.D. Sanjay, appearing for the MCD, agreed to file a detailed report by August 4.
The Bench also referred to media reports that 93% of buildings in Gurugram fail to meet fire safety norms. It summoned the executive head of the city’s civic body to appear on the next hearing date with a report on actions taken.
The court’s strong remarks underscore the urgent need for municipal bodies to enforce building regulations and fire safety standards to prevent future tragedies.
