The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Wednesday set up a probe into the collapse of the five-story Alaya Apartment at Wazir Hasan Road in Hazratganj area on Tuesday evening,

It was confirmed by experts that the apartment collapsed not due to an earthquake witnessed in the city, but the real cause was the unauthorised drilling of its pillars at their base which has weakened the foundation.

The probe committee will ascertain the number of apartments and complexes owned by Ghulam Yazdani, who is engaged in the real estate sector. He has such properties across the country.

The committee will find out whether the builders were following the norms set under the Urban Development Building Act. In case such buildings are located within UP and are violating the norms, they would be sealed immediately, leaving no scope of any more mishaps.

The LDA administration had decided to demolish the entire complex about four months back. Its anti-encroachment squad had pulled down a portion of the apartment, but further action was stopped following the stay awarded by the Allahabad High Court. The purpose of demolishing the building was that it violated rules and regulations.

Yazdani has immense property in western UP, as former MLA Shahid Manzur was his partner in the real estate business. Later, his son Fahad joined his father in running the business.

The state government has also issued a directive to the district magistrates to help the probing team identify their properties.

The LDA vice-chairman said that the probing team would seek the assistance of other departments and agencies in this regard, adding such buildings would be demolished as soon as they were identified in the public interest.