Lucknow fire: Demolition order issued against building in 2016, later withdrawn

3 min readLucknowUpdated: Jun 23, 2026 07:06 AM IST

A rescue personnel holds a cat that was injured in the fire. (PTI)

The building in Aliganj where fire claimed 15 lives on Monday had faced demolition proceedings a decade ago for alleged unauthorised construction, according to records of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), officials said.

The demolition order, however, was withdrawn less than two months after it was issued.

Officials said the property, MS/102/D in Sector D of the Aliganj Scheme, was originally allotted to Vijay Kumar under the LDA’s hire-purchase scheme through a lottery on July 11, 1980. Following execution of the agreement in November 1980, possession of the property was handed over to the allottee.

The property was later registered in the names of Vijay Kumar and his wife Usha through a sale deed in 2005. On January 19, 2013, the couple sold the property to Virendra Pratap Shukla and Surendra Pratap Shukla, after which the LDA carried out mutation in their favour on August 7, 2014.

Rescue personnel douse the flames at the site in Lucknow’s Aliganj on Monday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Officials said the 1,992 sq ft plot was granted approval for a residential building plan on August 20, 2014, under the authority’s self-certification scheme.

Subsequently, the LDA found alleged unauthorised construction at the site and registered a case against Virendra Pratap Shukla. After examining the matter, the competent authority passed a demolition order on May 10, 2016.

Records show, however, that the demolition order was set aside on July 5, 2016, less than two months later. Officials did not specify the reasons behind the withdrawal of the order.

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Rescue personnel had to make two big holes in an adjoining building to enter the structure that was engulfed in flames. (ANI)

The building’s regulatory history and compliance status have come under focus in the wake of Monday’s fire. Officials said relevant records relating to approvals, ownership changes and enforcement actions are being reviewed as part of the ongoing examination following the incident.

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.

Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.

Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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