LUCKNOW: A devastating fire that claimed 15 lives in Lucknow’s Aliganj area has brought the actions of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) under intense scrutiny, particularly concerning a revoked demolition order issued in 2016 against the building where the tragedy occurred. The fire, which broke out on June 22, 2026, in a three-storey commercial building in Sector D of the Aliganj Scheme, has led to a multi-agency investigation and raised serious questions about building safety norms and regulatory oversight in the state capital.
Development Authority’s Past Actions Under Review
Records indicate that the building, identified as MS/102/D, had been issued a demolition order in 2016 due to alleged unauthorized construction. The Lucknow Development Authority had registered a case against Virendra Pratap Shukla and subsequently issued the demolition order on May 10, 2016. However, within a span of less than two months, the order was revoked on July 5, 2016, a decision that is now a focal point of the ongoing investigation.
The building, originally allotted in 1980 for residential use under a hire-purchase scheme, was later sold and mutation was completed in favor of Virendra and Surendra Pratap Shukla in 2014. A residential-use building plan was approved under a self-certification scheme in August 2014. Despite this, unauthorized construction was reportedly found on the premises later, leading to the 2016 demolition proceedings.
The circumstances surrounding the revocation of the demolition order are being closely examined as authorities seek to understand if any lapses in compliance or procedural irregularities contributed to the tragic fire. The incident has reignited concerns about the enforcement of building regulations and fire safety standards in urban areas across Uttar Pradesh.
FIR Cites Multiple Safety Violations
An FIR registered in connection with the fire has alleged that the building was being operated as a commercial establishment without adequate fire safety arrangements, emergency exits, and measures to prevent smoke accumulation. According to the FIR, the three-storey structure housed a pet shop and clinic on the ground and first floors, a video gaming zone and 3D animation center on the second floor, and an IT networking office on the third. Investigators found that the building had only a single main route for entry and exit, lacking any alternative or emergency doors. Furthermore, the electrical installations were described as highly irregular, with no system for smoke ventilation.
The FIR has been lodged at the Aliganj police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act. Four accused individuals, including the building owners and operators of the pet shop and animation center, have been arrested. Authorities have also initiated inquiries against officials suspected of laxity in their duties.
Special Investigation Team Constituted
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has formed a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a time-bound probe into the fire incident. The SIT, comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism, Religious, and Culture Department) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow Zone) Praveen Kumar, has been tasked with submitting its report within seven days. The team visited the site to investigate all aspects of the incident, aiming to ascertain the cause of the fire, identify possible lapses, and fix responsibility.
A forensic laboratory team also conducted an examination of the site to gather evidence. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have originated in the building’s air-conditioning duct system, with thick smoke spreading rapidly and leading to suffocation among those trapped inside. The incident has underscored the critical need for stricter monitoring of building safety standards and adherence to fire safety norms to prevent future tragedies.
The Chenab Times News Desk