In a tragic incident in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, a sub-inspector lost his life after the roof of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) office collapsed due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The incident occurred late Saturday night, May 24, 2025, in the Ankur Vihar area, plunging the local police force and the community into mourning.
The deceased, identified as 58-year-old Sub-Inspector Virendra Mishra, was reportedly asleep in the ACP office when the roof caved in. The severe weather conditions, including a powerful storm and torrential rain, are believed to have weakened the structure, leading to its collapse. According to reports, the sudden impact of the collapsing roof trapped Mishra under the debris, resulting in fatal injuries.
The incident unfolded amidst a night of turbulent weather that swept across Delhi-NCR. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings of thunderstorms and strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 70 km per hour in some areas. These conditions caused widespread disruption, uprooting trees, damaging infrastructure, and causing power outages across the region.
News reports indicate that the collapse occurred at the Ankur Vihar ACP office. After the collapse, police arrived at the scene. When they couldn't reach the sub-inspector and noticed that the door was open, they began searching for him, eventually finding him under the rubble. Mishra's body was retrieved from the debris and sent for a post-mortem examination.
The tragic death of Sub-Inspector Virendra Mishra has prompted expressions of grief and condolences from senior police officials and the Uttar Pradesh government. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the exact cause of the roof collapse and to assess the structural integrity of other government buildings in the region. Questions are being raised about the maintenance and safety standards of the ACP office and whether adequate measures were in place to withstand extreme weather conditions.
This incident is not the first time that structural collapses have resulted in casualties in the Ghaziabad area. In January 2021, a similar tragedy occurred when the roof of a crematorium collapsed in Muradnagar, claiming the lives of 24 people. That incident led to widespread criticism of construction quality and negligence, prompting the government to take action against those responsible. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also took cognizance of the matter, issuing notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and police chief, seeking a detailed report and a review of public buildings.
The latest incident involving the ACP office roof collapse has once again brought attention to the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and adherence to safety standards for all public structures. There is a growing concern about the vulnerability of aging buildings to extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change.
As investigations continue, authorities are likely to face scrutiny over the condition of government infrastructure and the measures taken to ensure the safety of personnel working in these buildings. The loss of Sub-Inspector Virendra Mishra serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
