The deadly fire that claimed 15 lives in Lucknow’s Aliganj area has triggered fresh scrutiny of past actions taken by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) regarding the affected building. Records show that the property had faced a demolition order in 2016 for unauthorised construction, but the order was withdrawn less than two months later.
Authorities have now launched a formal investigation into the incident, while police have also registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act.
Building History and Ownership Details
The building where the fire broke out on Monday, June 22, 2026, is identified as MS/102/D in Sector D of the Aliganj Scheme in Lucknow.
According to official records, the property was initially allotted to Vijay Kumar, son of Rameshwar Sahay, on July 11, 1980. The allotment was made through a lottery-based hire-purchase scheme. After the agreement was executed on November 4, 1980, possession of the property was handed over.
Later, in 2005, Vijay Kumar and his wife Usha became registered owners of the property through a sale deed.
Transfer of Property and Building Approval
The property subsequently changed hands on January 19, 2013, when Vijay Kumar and Usha sold it to Virendra Pratap Shukla and Surendra Pratap Shukla.
The Lucknow Development Authority completed the mutation process in favour of the two new owners on August 7, 2014.
Spread across nearly 1,992 square feet, the building later received approval for a residential-use building plan on August 20, 2014. The approval was granted under the self-certification building plan scheme.
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Demolition Order and Revocation
After the building plan was approved, authorities detected unauthorised construction on the premises.
The Lucknow Development Authority then registered Case No. 08/2016 against Virendra Pratap Shukla. Following an investigation, the competent authority issued a demolition order on May 10, 2016, against the illegal construction.
However, the demolition order did not remain in effect for long. Records indicate that it was revoked on July 5, 2016, within two months of being issued.
Police Action After the Fire
Following the fire incident, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 110, 105, 125 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR also includes Sections 6 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act.
Uttar Pradesh Government Forms SIT
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out a time-bound inquiry into the incident.
The SIT includes Amrit Abhijat, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism, Religious, and Culture Department, and Praveen Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Lucknow Zone.
The team has been directed to submit its report within seven days.
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Conclusion
The Aliganj fire tragedy has intensified questions surrounding regulatory oversight and previous administrative decisions related to the building. As investigations continue, attention remains focused on the revoked demolition order and the circumstances that allowed the structure to remain operational despite earlier findings of unauthorised construction.
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