Delhi Building Collapse: MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar Faces Calls to Resign

A five-storey hostel building collapsed in the densely populated Satya Niketan area near Delhi University’s South Campus, leaving several families devastated. Seven students have reportedly died in the incident, while rescue teams continue efforts to locate and evacuate people trapped under the rubble. Police suspect that water accumulation in the basement following recent rains may have weakened the foundation while repair work was being carried out, potentially contributing to the collapse.

The incident has once again raised questions over the monitoring of unauthorised constructions in Delhi. Residents have alleged that buildings are being constructed or repaired without adequate inspections and that unsafe multi-storey structures continue to operate as hostels and hotels. Against this backdrop, demands have emerged for the resignation of Delhi Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar. A 1994-batch IAS officer, Khirwar had previously faced controversy in 2022 after reports alleged that a stadium was cleared early to allow him and his wife to walk their pet dog. Following the controversy, the Centre transferred the couple to different locations and later took action against his wife, Rinku Dugga. Khirwar was transferred to Ladakh and was brought back to Delhi in January this year before being appointed MCD Commissioner.