80-year-old man killed, three hurt in roof collapse

An 80-year-old man was killed and three others were injured when the roof of a building collapsed in north-east Delhi’s Khajoori Khas on Friday. A case has been filed, police said.

Labourers were renovating the building in Sonia Vihar Pocket-6 when the incident took place around 4 pm. The deceased has been identified as Sunil Beniwal.
Police said the building was around 20 years old and the ground floor was constructed in 50 square yards.

“Labourers had been working at the building for the last one month. Due to the renovation work, Sunil and his family had shifted to a rented house in the neighbourhood,” said a police officer.

At the time of the collapse on Friday, Sunil had gone to the building to monitor the work.
A call was made to the police control room after which the fire department was also informed.
“A fire tender was rushed to the spot for the rescue operation,” a fire officer said.

The victims were taken to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where Sunil died during treatment.
After an initial probe, police said the roof collapse also damaged other parts of the building. Sunil and labourers identified as Vijay, Shakeel and Bhola were stuck in the debris, but were rescued before police or fire department officers arrived at the spot.

“They were taken to hospital in a PCR van, but Sunil succumbed to his injuries,” the officer adder.

The condition of the injured is stated to be stable.
After the incident, police have registered a case under sections 288 (negligent conduct with respect to repairing buildings) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code with Khajoori Khas police station.

Locals alleged that the area, which houses several old buildings, has become a hub of illegal construction with the connivance of police and municipal corporation officers.
DH News Service