News Desk - A devastating fire in Lucknow has brought the Lucknow Development Authority’s earlier handling of the building under fresh scrutiny, after records showed the structure had once faced demolition proceedings over unauthorised construction.

According to official records, the three storey commercial building in Aliganj was issued a demolition order on May 10, 2016, after the LDA found unauthorised construction on the site. The owners challenged the action, and the order was revoked on July 5, 2016, raising questions about how the decision was reversed and whether proper procedures were followed.

Investigators are now examining whether building norms and fire-safety lapses worsened the tragedy, which killed 15 people, with preliminary findings suggesting the blaze may have started in an AC duct and spread quickly due to poor exit access. The incident has triggered a wider debate over regulatory oversight, especially after it emerged that the property had changed hands over the years and continued to operate despite earlier compliance concerns.

The fire has not only exposed deadly safety failures but also renewed questions over why the demolition order was withdrawn so quickly in 2016.