India, Aug. 20 -- New Delhi

The Delhi Police has stated that it is not "technically qualified" to determine building safety or adherence to norms and its officers and beat staff cannot stop construction work or initiate action against buildings without directions from civic authorities, as per a standing order issued to police subdivisions after perusal by the police commissioner, HT has learnt.

Police said they can intervene directly in stopping construction only when the municipal corporation invokes its powers under Section 344(2) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act (DMC) Act and sends a direction. The standing order said that zonal assistant engineers (building) are empowered to issue such directions to police.

The circular, iss...