A three-storey commercial building in Lucknow, where a fire killed 15 people on June 23, 2026, had been issued a demolition order in 2016 for unauthorised construction. That order was revoked less than two months later, according to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government released on Monday night.
Building History and Ownership Changes
The building is located in Sector D of the upscale Aliganj Scheme locality. It was originally allotted on July 11, 1980, to Vijay Kumar under a hire-purchase scheme through a lottery system. After the agreement was executed on November 4, 1980, possession was handed over to the allottee.
In 2005, the property was registered in the names of Vijay Kumar and his wife, Usha, through a sale deed. They subsequently sold the property to Virendra Pratap Shukla and Surendra Pratap Shukla on January 19, 2013. The Lucknow Development Authority completed the mutation process in favour of the new owners on August 7, 2014.
Approval and Unauthorised Construction
The building, spanning approximately 1,992 square feet, received approval for a residential-use building plan on August 20, 2014, under the self-certification building plan scheme. However, later, unauthorised construction was discovered on the premises. The Lucknow Development Authority registered a case against Virendra Pratap Shukla.
Following an investigation, a demolition order was issued against the unauthorised construction on May 10, 2016. However, the order was revoked just two months later, on July 5, 2016. The state government's statement raised questions about the circumstances under which the decision was reversed.
Fire Tragedy and Casualties
The fire broke out around 3 pm on June 23, 2026, on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj, north Lucknow. It claimed at least 15 lives, including students, and left seven injured. Most victims were trapped on the second floor, where students were attending classes at an animation centre. The building also housed a pet clinic.
Eyewitnesses reported that several people jumped from the building to escape the flames. The structure was completely gutted. Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to control the blaze. The source of the fire has not yet been determined.
