A 60-year-old woman died Thursday after debris from a deteriorating canopy of an old haveli fell on her in Lavan Ka Gher in Chowkri Gangapole area of the Walled City. She suffered severe injuries to her head, neck, shoulders and abdomen and was taken to SMS Hospital’s trauma centre, where she died in the evening, police said.
Locals said the incident occurred when the property owner, Shakir Khan, and a tenant were attempting to demolish the damaged canopy outside the building. Shakira was passing through a narrow 3-foot-wide lane adjoining the structure at the time and the canopy fell on her.
Residents alleged that no safety precautions were taken and pedestrian movement was not restricted during the demolition work.
Deputy commissioner of police (north) Karan Sharma said that the police have not yet received any FIR or complaints regarding the matter. However, he noted that the city police would investigate the death if a formal complaint or application is submitted.
The death comes just eight days after another fatal incident at the same property. On June 11, a five-month-old infant, Abdul Qadir, died after plaster from a ceiling collapsed on him while he was asleep. He was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
After the infant’s death, the matter was reported to Subhash Chowk police station, where the victim’s family and the property owner later reached a ‘settlement’. Thursday’s incident has, however, renewed focus on the building’s condition and the circumstances surrounding both deaths.
Residents said around 100 tenants were living in the old haveli. Following Thursday’s incident, police evacuated the building and asked occupants to vacate the premises.
Rashid, the infant’s father, alleged Thursday that tenants had repeatedly warned the property owner about the structure’s deteriorating condition and had sought repairs or evacuation, but no action was taken. He alleged that residents were threatened when they raised concerns.
