NHRC issues notices to Delhi govt, MCD

Taking cognisance of the November 15 building collapse, the National Human Rights Commission today asked the city government and MCD to explain what action was taken against the officials responsible for construction of illegal buildings.

Taking cognisance of the November 15 building collapse, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday asked the city government and MCD to explain what action was taken against the officials responsible for construction of illegal buildings.

HT Image

In its notices to the city government and MCD, NHRC also sought to know the action proposed for the safety of those living in 38 “unsafe” buildings.

The NHRC has asked the Delhi Government chief secretary and MCD commissioner to inform it of the medical treatment being given to the survivors and compensation given to the next of the kin of those killed and injured.

"Contents of press reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the people, who died in the incident," the NHRC said. Delhi chief secretary and MCD commissioner have to file separate reports within four weeks.

The NHRC notice comes a day after the Supreme Court said that the cost of a citizen’s life in the capital was cheaper than that of an animal. "There is no difference between human beings and an animal in this city. The families of the dead in the recent incident have got Rs 2 lakh, while a bakra was sold for the same amount on Eid," the SC had said on Thursday.

"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," the NHRC said.

The NHRC also mentioned that Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi in a complaint filed in November 2009 before the Anti-Corruption Branch had said that four-storey buildings had come up in the area without any approval. "…It appeared that there was a clear modus operandi to ensure construction of illegal buildings without any hindrance," it added.