G.O. Ms. No. 557, Appointment of Commission of Inquiry into the Moulivakkam Building Collapse, 2014
The Government of Tamil Nadu Public Department (Law and Order F), through Government Order Ms. No. 557 dated 3 July 2014, appoints a single-member Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice R. Regupathi, retired Judge of the High Court of Madras, to investigate the collapse of the multi-storeyed building at Moulivakkam in Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District. The Commission must examine the causes and circumstances, fix responsibility for negligence, recommend measures to prevent similar incidents, and report to the State Government in English and Tamil within two months from publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
What the notification does
The Government of Tamil Nadu Public Department (Law and Order F) issued Government Order Ms. No. 557 dated 3 July 2014 under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. It creates a Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of a multi-storeyed building at Moulivakkam, Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District, on the evening of 28 June 2014.
The notification states that the collapse caused the deaths of about 55 people and injuries to several others. The State Government considered the incident a definite matter of public importance requiring an inquiry.
Commission and scope
The Commission of Inquiry consists of one member, Justice R. Regupathi, a retired Judge of the High Court of Madras. Its terms of reference are:
- Inquire into all aspects, causes and circumstances leading to the building collapse.
- Fix responsibility on persons whose negligence caused the incident that resulted in deaths and injuries among construction workers and others.
- Recommend remedial measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
The Commission of Inquiry must complete its work and submit its report to the State Government in both English and Tamil. The deadline is two months from the date on which the notification was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
Legal provisions applied
The Governor of Tamil Nadu appointed the Commission of Inquiry using the power under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The Governor also directed that the provisions in sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Section 5 of that Act apply to the Commission.
Who is affected
Government Order Ms. No. 557 directly concerns the Moulivakkam building collapse, the circumstances surrounding it, and persons whose negligence may have caused it. For property buyers, owners and professionals, the notification records an official investigation into one specific building disaster. Its stated purpose is inquiry, responsibility and recommendations to prevent recurrence, rather than setting out general land ownership, property transfer or development requirements.
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Common questions
Does this notification create new rules for buying or selling property in Tamil Nadu?
No new property purchase or sale requirements are stated. Government Order Ms. No. 557 appoints a Commission to investigate the Moulivakkam building collapse, fix responsibility and recommend preventive measures.
Who headed the inquiry into the Moulivakkam building collapse?
The single-member Commission of Inquiry was headed by Justice R. Regupathi, a retired Judge of the High Court of Madras.
What was the Commission required to investigate?
The Commission was required to examine all aspects, causes and circumstances of the collapse, identify responsibility for negligence, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
When was the inquiry report due?
The Commission was required to submit its report in English and Tamil to the State Government within two months from publication of the notification in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
