Chennai building collapse kills migrant worker; three unenforced demolition notices expose GCC failure

A portion of a five-storey building in Old Washermenpet, Chennai, collapsed on Monday night, killing migrant worker Anil from Rajasthan who was cycling home after work. Though the Greater Chennai Corporation had issued three demolition notices directing the building's removal on safety grounds, the owners did not comply and the civic body failed to enforce the orders. Neighbours reported complaints about the structure's poor condition since 2021, and at least five to seven neighbouring buildings along the stretch were also in extremely poor condition.

Police arrested three building owners — T Rajavel, T Maruthi Raja, and T Sivakumar — and booked them for causing death by negligence. They were remanded in judicial custody. Nearly 10 migrant workers employed at a sweet shop owned by the same family had been housed in the building and were evacuated after the collapse. An inquiry is under way to determine the exact cause of the collapse.