As we brace for unprecedented rates of urbanisation, it is crucial to ensure that illegal constructions and unauthorised land use are curbed, asserts Amit Kapoor.
An under-construction seven-storey building in Hyderabad collapsed, killing two workers and injuring two others. The incident highlighted issues of illegal construction near a drain and violations of mandatory setbacks. Authorities revealed the building was seized four months prior, but construction resumed, leading to the collapse. Investigations into the owner's role and demolition of similar illegal structures are underway.
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Bihar government, ordering the removal of all unauthorised structures and encroachments along the Ganga river banks between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna within six weeks. The court expressed concern over illegal constructions and noted the lack of action despite previous orders, warning of strict views on any laxity. The directive came during the hearing of a plea against a National Green Tribunal order regarding encroachments on eco-fragile floodplains.
Authorities in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar demolished illegal constructions belonging to AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, who is accused of harbouring Nida Khan, wanted in connection with a Nashik TCS case.
Amroha Police demolished an alleged illegal construction belonging to an accused in a minor rape case, identified as Farman, as part of their zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and girls. The structure was found to be illegal after verification by the revenue department.
The Mumbai civic body has initiated demolition of unauthorised constructions in a posh Prabhadevi high-rise, Rustomjee Crown, following complaints from an RTI activist. The action targets illegal alterations, amalgamation of flats, and conversion of common spaces into habitable areas, with the drive expected to continue over several days.
Authorities in Gurugram demolished the property of a criminal, Indrajit, built on encroached government land in Badshahpur village. The demolition was ordered after it was found that the construction was illegal and built without permission.
Gurugram police demolished the illegal property of criminal Ravindra alias Sarkar, who was involved in more than a dozen serious crimes, in Taj Nagar village, Farrukhnagar.
Authorities in southwest Delhi demolished illegal constructions allegedly linked to drug peddling in the Najafgarh area. The action was conducted in areas under Baba Haridas Nagar in Dwarka, where structures outside residential houses were being used for illegal sale and distribution of narcotics.
Following a building collapse in Delhi's Saket area that resulted in six fatalities, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has pledged stringent measures against unauthorised constructions and the officials responsible. She has ordered surveys of unsafe buildings and assured support for the affected families.
Gurugram police demolished illegal structures belonging to two habitual offenders, Shahrukh and Arshad, on government land in Peer Colony, Sohna. The structures were allegedly used as a base for criminal activities, with Shahrukh facing 34 theft cases and Arshad facing six theft cases and one NDPS case.
Gurugram police demolished illegal structures belonging to two habitual offenders, Shahrukh and Arshad, on government land in Peer Colony, Sohna. The structures were allegedly used as a base for criminal activities, with Shahrukh facing 34 theft cases and Arshad facing six theft cases and one NDPS case.
An illegally constructed house belonging to a drug peddler was demolished in Srinagar as part of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan.
The removal of unauthorised construction at Union minister Narayan Rane's bungalow in Mumbai's Juhu area started on Thursday, a civic official confirmed.
The Beed Municipal Council has issued notices regarding an unauthorised construction linked to Prahlad Kulkarni, a key accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
Tope said action would be taken against those buildings where FSI more than four had been utilised. There are 588 such buildings. He, however, said the government would soon make the roads free of encroachment.
Civic authorities in Beed, Maharashtra, have ordered the demolition of an under-construction building allegedly linked to P V Kulkarni, the kingpin of the NEET paper leak case, due to violations of local construction regulations.
Haryana is institutionalising drone technology as a key governance tool, deploying AI-powered surveillance and high-resolution geospatial mapping. This initiative aims to detect illegal constructions, monitor mining activities, map civic infrastructure, and track pollution across the state. The Chief Secretary reviewed progress on various projects, including an AI-powered Change Detection Application and digital mapping of municipal assets, highlighting the state's commitment to evidence-based governance and improved public service delivery.
Gurugram Police demolished illegal encroachments on government land in Pataudi, allegedly constructed by associates of jailed gangster Kaushal Chaudhary, as part of an ongoing effort to dismantle criminal networks' financial support.
Authorities in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, have initiated demolition proceedings against the Mughal Banquet Hall in Kairana after it was found to be an unauthorised structure and allegedly served beef at a wedding reception. Four individuals, including the groom and hall owner, have been arrested in connection with the case, with a car also seized.
Gurugram police demolished an illegal property belonging to a criminal, Narendra alias Pawwa, in Budhera village as part of a crackdown on land mafias.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered a status quo on the demolition of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's constituency office in South 24 Parganas. The court's directive prevents further demolition until a new hearing or the end of July, following a petition by Leaps and Bounds Private Limited, a company Banerjee is CEO of. The district administration had initiated demolition citing alleged construction without an approved plan.
Security forces in Manipur have destroyed 23 illegally constructed bunkers in Ukhrul district and seized 18 IEDs in Tengnoupal district during separate operations.
Authorities in Chhattisgarh's Durg district demolished an illegally constructed shop belonging to the brother of a suspended BJP leader arrested in connection with opium cultivation.
Ghaziabad authorities have sealed two illegal madrasas in Indirapuram and Loni, citing lack of registration, NOCs, and inadequate facilities. This action is part of an intensified crackdown on unrecognised institutions, which gained momentum following the recent killing of a teenager in the area.
The apex court directed the CBI, which is already probing the case, to file its status report in the matter within three months.
An allegedly illegal cafe, Aranayer Kule, owned by Imran Molla, son of TMC leader Saokat Molla, was demolished in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The demolition followed repeated notices from the district administration regarding the structure's encroachment on Matla river's sandbank, which the family failed to remove.
The NDA government has gradually nuanced its position on the issue of demographic challenge.
Rajasthan Police has launched a significant crackdown on organised crime, initiating proceedings to attach illegally acquired assets worth over Rs 220 crore. The action targets 636 criminals, including drug traffickers, and involves asset seizures, demolition drives, and the use of new legal provisions to dismantle economic networks and return confiscated properties to victims.
AIMIM leader Matin Patel faces potential cancellation of his corporatorship for allegedly harbouring Nida Khan, accused in a sexual harassment and forced conversion case. Authorities are investigating alleged illegal construction at his residence, which could lead to his disqualification under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.
A three-storey under-construction warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala area collapsed, killing three people and trapping several others. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 18 individuals already saved, amid allegations of substandard construction materials and illegal building practices.
Security forces in Manipur have dismantled six illegal bunkers constructed by armed groups in the Ukhrul district following recent gunfights in the Litan area.
The Bombay high court on Monday rued that for long illegal constructions have been mushrooming but time has now come to change the attitude that nothing will happen to such structures.
Authorities in Srinagar demolished an illegal property worth Rupees 1.5 crore, allegedly linked to a wanted drug peddler, as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking.
Gurugram police demolished illegal structures on government land in Kasan village, allegedly linked to a criminal, as part of an ongoing drive to dismantle criminals' financial networks.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation demolished alleged illegal constructions at the residence and other properties of AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, who is accused of harbouring Nida Khan, wanted in connection with a TCS case.
The Ayodhya Development Authority has issued a notice to the wife of a Ram temple donation theft accused for alleged unauthorised construction, as police intensify their investigation into the embezzlement case. Recoveries of cash, gold, silver, and a "Ramrajya Kosh" donation box have been made, and eight people have been arrested.
Delhi Police are investigating a deadly hotel fire in Malviya Nagar that killed 21 people, arresting the owner and probing alleged violations of building norms, fire safety lapses, and illegal construction. The hotel reportedly operated more rooms than permitted and lacked a fire NOC.
HC stated that the matter had to be dealt with by appropriate authorities.
A builder in Dehradun has been booked under the Goonda Act and may be expelled from the district after allegedly assaulting a DRDO scientist who protested illegal construction.
