Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against encroachments across the national capital, with a stronger focus on technology-driven monitoring to detect and remove illegal occupation of public land.

The directions were issued during a meeting of the DDA Advisory Council, where urban development initiatives and enforcement measures were reviewed.

Officials said the Lieutenant Governor instructed the DDA to deploy drones and real-time monitoring systems to keep track of land parcels and buildings, enabling authorities to quickly identify unauthorized occupation and illegal construction before taking appropriate action.

More than 241 acres of government land reclaimed

During the meeting, officials informed that the DDA has strengthened its enforcement efforts through 14 Flying Squads operating under its Land Management Department. These teams are supported by daily field inspections conducted by survey personnel to safeguard government land.

According to the DDA, demolition drives carried out since April 2025 have helped reclaim 241.51 acres of government land. Additionally, illegal constructions have been cleared from 235.96 acres located in designated development areas.

Drone survey maps majority of Delhi

As part of its technology-enabled enforcement strategy, the DDA is conducting a drone survey across the National Capital Territory in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Survey of India.

Officials said the survey covers approximately 1,370 square kilometres. Of this, more than 1,122 square kilometres have already been mapped, while the survey covering the entire O-Zone has been completed.

The Lieutenant Governor was also informed about the DDA’s Vacant Land Management System, which is monitoring over 3,700 land parcels spread across nearly 21,773 acres. The system relies on geo-tagging and periodic photographic records to identify fresh encroachments at an early stage.

Focus on unauthorized construction

The meeting also reviewed action being taken against unauthorized construction across Delhi.

Officials said the DDA has initiated a dedicated enforcement drive to identify deviations from approved building plans through specialised inspection teams.

The Lieutenant Governor directed strict action against serious violations, including de-empanelment and blacklisting of architects found responsible for major breaches. He also instructed that unsafe or dilapidated buildings be reported to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for further action.

Authorities further informed that unauthorized constructions in Delhi’s Land Pooling Areas will be identified and removed with the help of Flying Squads and Quick Response Teams.

DDA expands technology-based enforcement

Officials said the DDA has been increasing the use of digital tools to improve surveillance of public land and prevent fresh encroachments.

Along with the ongoing drone survey, the Vacant Land Management System is helping authorities continuously monitor thousands of land parcels through geo-tagging and regular photographic updates, enabling quicker detection of unauthorized occupation and supporting technology-driven enforcement across the capital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh nowcast warning for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and adjoining areas, forecasting moderate to intense spells of rainfall over the next few hours as the southwest monsoon remains active across coastal Maharashtra.

According to the weather department, Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad are likely to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds. The IMD has also maintained a Red Alert for parts of the region, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated places expected to receive extremely heavy showers.

Authorities have cautioned that the prevailing weather conditions could lead to waterlogging, flooding and traffic congestion, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Residents have been advised to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.

Continuous rain has already affected road transport, while train services and flight operations have also been impacted due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. Civic authorities are clearing blocked drains and removing fallen trees to minimise the impact of the heavy rainfall.

Officials have urged people to stay indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary. Citizens have also been advised to avoid waterlogged roads, overflowing drains and coastal areas, while keeping track of weather updates issued by the IMD and local authorities.

With widespread rainfall expected to continue across the region, authorities have appealed to residents to remain cautious, follow official advisories and cooperate with emergency services until weather conditions improve.

A nowcast warning is a short-term weather forecast, generally valid for the next two to three hours. It is issued to alert the public about imminent weather events such as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning or hailstorms, enabling both authorities and citizens to take timely precautions and minimise weather-related risks.

Ayodhya Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir has estimated that between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 8 lakh may have been diverted every day before the suspected fraud was uncovered.

According to information gathered during the investigation, officials associated with the bank handling the temple’s donations informed the SIT that the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust previously received around Rs 16-18 lakh in daily cash donations. After the alleged irregularities surfaced, the daily collections reportedly increased to Rs 24-26 lakh, leading investigators to suspect that a substantial portion of donations had been siphoned off earlier.

Cash counting process under investigation

The SIT is examining the mechanism used for counting donations at the temple. Cash offered by devotees is collected from four donation boxes, with the counting process supervised by State Bank of India (SBI) through a private agency.

A 14-member team carries out the counting, comprising 11 bank personnel and three representatives of the temple trust. Investigators are now reviewing whether established procedures were followed and whether any lapses enabled the alleged diversion of funds.

Police are also preparing to approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the financial trail and related monetary transactions in greater detail.

Role of former bank employee

Retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava, who allegedly supervised the counting process, remains a key accused in the case. Investigators say his responsibilities included transporting cash from the donation boxes to the counting room before handing it over to the bank.

According to sources cited during the investigation, the theft was first reported in February when a member of the counting team allegedly informed Srivastava that cash was being stolen during counting. He is accused of responding that “God is watching,” suggesting that the matter did not require immediate concern.

Police have so far arrested eight accused, including Srivastava, Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Tinnu Yadav, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra.

Investigators have also noted that jewellery donations were allegedly not maintained under a systematic record, making them vulnerable to theft.

Bank officials questioned over procedures

The SIT questioned bank employees involved in the donation counting process and sought explanations regarding alleged deviations from the agreement between the trust and the bank.

Officials were asked why prescribed procedures were reportedly altered, why suspected irregularities were not escalated to senior authorities, and why a private security agency entrusted with security-related responsibilities was allegedly allowed to participate in cash counting.

The SIT is expected to assess the role of bank personnel in its final report, after which further action may be considered.

Money allegedly shared near temple

During interrogation, accused Avinash Shukla allegedly told investigators that the stolen cash was divided among the accused at a park near Bhikapur on the 14 Koshi Parikrama route. Police visited the location as part of the ongoing investigation.

Trust officials questioned again

The SIT also questioned Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustees Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao for a second time.

According to the information provided, all three have resigned from their trust posts following the emergence of the allegations.

Investigators sought details of their movable and immovable assets, income sources and supporting property documents. The probe is also examining allegations related to commissions during temple construction and land purchases, along with claims that certain individuals received undue benefits.

Officials have additionally sought information regarding the reported increase in the assets of Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao in recent years, including details related to Anil Mishra’s new residence and financial resources.

As part of the wider investigation, the SIT has called for the trust’s annual audit reports, financial records and other key documents. According to sources, investigators are also considering a fresh audit of the trust’s financial records.