A Delhi court has called for the immediate filing of FIRs against the owners and developers of illegal buildings. It has also asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the roles of senior officials, builders, and political figures in a case involving fake demolition of illegal structures.
A special CBI Judge issued this order after acquitting an MCD junior engineer and two others who were accused of improperly protecting unauthorized buildings from demolition in 2002.
The court also directed that FIRs be lodged against the developers without delay.
It was noted that unauthorized basements were constructed in complete violation of the law, which endangered the properties. The trend of illegal basement construction continues, leading to numerous building collapses.
The court asked the Commissioner of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to take departmental action against junior officers found responsible for failing to take action against illegal properties.
Furthermore, it ordered that a copy of the judgment be sent to all civic bodies, and an action-taken report be prepared and submitted within seven weeks.
The CBI, the country's top investigating agency, is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the case of illegal construction. The court emphasized the need to probe the relationship between MCD officers, including suspects within their departments, builders, and political bosses, as the FIR was registered by the CBI.