Lucknow Building Fire Renews Scrutiny Over Controversial 2016 Demolition Order Revocation

A devastating fire has brought renewed scrutiny to the history of the building where the tragedy occurred.

Sources said documents related to the building have revealed that Lucknow Development Authority in 2016 had issued an order for its demolition citing unauthorized construction. However, in a development that is now raising serious questions, the order was revoked within two months.

According to official records, the property, identified as building number MS/102/D in Sector D of the Aliganj Scheme, was originally allotted to Vijay Kumar through a lottery on July 11, 1980, under a hire-purchase arrangement. Following the execution of the agreement on Nov 4, 1980, possession of the property was handed over to the allottee.

The ownership of the property changed over the years. In 2005, the building was transferred through a registered sale deed to Vijay Kumar and his wife Usha. Subsequently, on Jan 19, 2013, the couple sold the property to Virendra Pratap Shukla and Surendra Pratap Shukla. The LDA completed the mutation process in favor of the new owners on Aug 7, 2014.

Spread across 1,992 square feet, the building’s map was approved for residential use on Aug 20, 2014, under the self approval building plan scheme. However, allegations of construction beyond the approved plan later surfaced.

Following an inquiry, the LDA registered a case in 2016 against Virendra Pratap Shukla over the alleged unauthorized construction. After examining the matter, the competent authority passed a demolition order on May 10, 2016, directing action against the unauthorized portions of the building. The order was considered a significant step against violations of building regulations.

“What has now emerged as a matter of concern is that the demolition order did not remain in force for long. On July 5, 2016, less than two months after it was issued, the order was revoked. The circumstances under which the decision was overturned are now attracting attention in the wake of the fire tragedy,” said the official source.

The preliminary scrutiny by LDA has found that the premises was later developed and used for commercial activities despite being approved for residential use. Officials said this alleged violation of land-use norms is a key issue in the investigation into the fire.

LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar said the probe into the matter is underway.