India, June 8 -- In a span of five days, south Delhi witnessed two tragedies that killed at least 28people: a building collapse in Saidulajab on May 30 and a fire at a bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani on June 3. Both places were operating illegally, with the residential properties being misused for non-residential purposes.

This, just weeks after the Supreme Court's directions on March 25 to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the rampant conversion of residential premises for commercial purposes.

On April 20 then, the MCD directed the deputy commissioners of all 12 zones to complete identifying the illegal properties within a week. "All zonal deputy commissioners are directed to undertake a comprehensive and time-bound exercise...