Lucknow, July 25 -- The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Saturday began demolishing the fire-ravaged building in the city's Aliganj area after the 15-day demolition deadline issued to the owner expired, officials said.

Bulldozers reached the site shortly after the deadline ended, and demolition commenced after authorities verified the extent of demolition already carried out by the building owner. A heavy police deployment was made in the area to ensure law and order during the operation.

The action comes over a month after a devastating fire at a coaching institute operating in the Aliganj building on June 22 claimed the lives of 15 people.

Meanwhile, the building owner, Advocate Rajendra Prasad Shukla, termed the demolition dri...