Illegal floors, weak material caused Saket collapse: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet in a Saket court blaming the illegal addition of two floors, use of substandard material, and disregard for building norms for the May 30 building collapse in Saidulajab that killed six people. The chargesheet, filed on August 13, names building owner Karamvir Singh and builders Manish Khatri and Avinash Gupta.

The Times of India reports that the chargesheet says no building plan was sanctioned and mandatory norms were flouted. Hindustan Times adds that the excavation of a basement for an underground water tank further weakened the structure. The concrete used has been sent for forensic examination.

The three accused have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligent construction. The police said supplementary chargesheets will be filed over alleged negligence by civic authorities. The next court hearing is on August 22.