A tragic fire in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives occurred in a commercial building that had a demolition order issued in 2016 due to unauthorised construction. The order was controversially revoked less than two months later, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the decision. The building, originally allotted for residential use, was later found to have unauthorised commercial construction.
The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Mumbai civic body to demolish the unauthorised construction at Union minister Narayan Rane's bungalow in Juhu area in Mumbai, noting that it violated the Floor Space Index (FSI) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
A senior official of the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation, Surendra Bhaskar Bhoir, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh. Bhoir, who also held the charge of assistant municipal commissioner, was caught red-handed after demanding Rs 5 lakh to overlook an unauthorised construction.
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.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is initiating a sealing drive against unauthorised commercial establishments in South Delhi. This action follows recent incidents, including a deadly fire in Malviya Nagar and a building collapse near Saket, which exposed widespread violations of building bye-laws and licence conditions.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued notices to properties linked to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, seeking building plans for scrutiny amid allegations of unauthorised construction.
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.
Following a fatal fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar that killed 21, another property linked to the owner has been discovered, revealing a labyrinthine basement with cramped rooms, extensive wooden panelling, and severe fire safety concerns, including lack of ventilation and unauthorised construction.
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.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued notices to properties linked to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, seeking building plans for scrutiny amid allegations of unauthorised construction.
An official working at the office of a tehsildar in Palghar district has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 7 lakh. A case has also been registered against an additional tehsildar who allegedly made the bribe demand and is absconding.
A special CBI court in Thane acquitted a former central government employee accused of accepting a bribe, citing insufficient proof of demand despite the recovery of currency notes.
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.
Police in Thane have arrested the driver of a cement mixer truck involved in a collision with an overcrowded van, resulting in 11 fatalities. Authorities are urging the public to avoid travelling in unauthorised vehicles.
The Lucknow Development Authority has served a notice to the owner of the Aliganj building where a recent fire claimed 15 lives, citing alleged building bylaw violations and unauthorised commercial use. The LDA is also investigating its own officials for previously withdrawing a demolition order against the same property in 2016, while police have arrested four individuals in connection with the tragedy.
The Gujarat High Court dismissed a plea by Asaram's ashram in Ahmedabad, allowing the government to acquire land for sports infrastructure development ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2030.
We have built an economy that can deliver everything -- from iPhones to biryani -- to a doorstep in 10 minutes, but it cannot deliver a fire engine through a lane in 20, points out Amit Kapoor.
A three-storey commercial building collapsed near Saket Metro station in south Delhi, resulting in four fatalities. Rescue operations have concluded, and an inquiry into the cause of the collapse has been initiated.
A fatal fire at a bed-and-breakfast in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, has revealed widespread allegations of safety and building norm violations in numerous local establishments. Locals and guests claim many guest houses operate illegally, exceeding licensed capacities and using unsafe basement accommodations, prompting calls for comprehensive safety audits and stricter enforcement.
The Delhi government has announced a comprehensive audit of the Narela and Bawana industrial areas, covering the period from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The audit, initiated by the DSIIDC, aims to identify financial irregularities, fund diversions, and their financial impact within these public-private partnership projects.
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.
Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij has ordered a state-wide investigation into alleged irregularities in vehicle registrations across multiple Sub-Divisional offices and Regional Transport Offices. The probe, led by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, follows reports of fraudulent registrations in Ambala. Vij has also addressed issues such as uncovered construction vehicles and violations of the Stage Carriage Scheme.
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.
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 against illegal construction.
The Supreme Court has directed the preparation and implementation of a time-bound eviction plan to address encroachments within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu, also ordering action against government servants involved.
A 48-year-old real estate agent has been arrested in Palghar, Maharashtra, for allegedly grabbing and illegally selling another person's land. The accused, Surendra Pratap Singh, faces multiple charges including cheating and criminal intimidation.
An unauthorised borewell drilling incident in Mumbai led to a breach in the Aqua Line Metro tunnel, prompting a police complaint and highlighting the importance of adhering to construction guidelines near the Metro corridor.
The Centre had asked the Gymkhana Club in Lutyens' Delhi to hand over the premises, citing that the 27.3-acre plot was required for "strengthening and securing defence infrastructure".
The Supreme Court of India has issued a series of nationwide guidelines aimed at improving road safety on national highways, addressing issues such as illegal parking and accident blackspots.
A violent clash between two groups in Mumbai's Goregaon area during a religious procession resulted in injuries to Bajrang Dal members and the arrest of 10 individuals. The incident stemmed from a dispute over loud devotional songs, leading to a brawl with weapons. Authorities have initiated demolition of unauthorized homes allegedly belonging to some of the accused.
Six persons were killed and eight others seriously injured after a portion of an unauthorised four-story building collapsed on an adjacent vacant building at Virar in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said.
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.
The original owner of the land where the Goa nightclub fire occurred claims he had flagged illegalities and fought a legal battle for 20 years.
The Bombay High Court has criticized the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for failing to take action against illegal structures in Navi Mumbai. The court questioned whether the rule of law or the rule of muscle power prevails in the state, noting that CIDCO officers were threatened by a local sarpanch when they attempted to take action. The court directed CIDCO to demolish the unauthorized structures within a week and ordered the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner to provide protection to CIDCO officers.
The death toll in the collapse of an unauthorised building in Virar, Maharashtra, has risen to 15. Rescue operations are ongoing to ensure no one remains trapped under the debris.
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 death toll in the collapse of an allegedly unauthorised building at Virar in Maharashtra's Palghar district has risen to 17. Police have arrested the builder of the four-storey structure after a complaint was lodged.
The investigation against Bharadwaj (45), former Delhi health minister, is understood to be linked to an Anti-Corruption Branch case into alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects by the previous AAP government.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the shutdown of 19 ready mix concrete plants in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for violating environmental guidelines and contributing to deteriorating air quality levels.
A consumer forum in Lucknow, India, has halted the construction of actress Sunny Leone's restaurant-cum-bar, citing concerns about "unauthorised activity" and potential security threats to the neighboring high court premises and the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. The commission deemed the allotment of the society's community center to a commercial establishment as inappropriate and raised concerns about the Lucknow Development Authority's approval of the project. The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 19.
