NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday remanded building owner’s son Mahesh Gupta, labour contractor Sanoj Kumar and PG operator Sudhanshu to two days in police custody in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people.Delhi Police had sought three days’ custody of the three accused, saying they needed to question them as part of the investigation and trace another PG operator, Shubham Tyagi.
Court grants 2-day custody to three accused
Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Kautuk Bhardwaj granted two days’ police custody after hearing the submissions of the police and defence counsel Yashpal Singh.Mahesh was produced before the court after completing an earlier two-day custody, while Sanoj and Sudhanshu were produced following their fresh arrests.At the request of Sudhanshu’s counsel, the court proceedings were held in camera.The lawyer argued that the case was being turned into a “media trial” and objected to media presence, following which the court asked journalists to leave the courtroom.
Mahesh’s parents in judicial custody
On September 7, the Duty Magistrate of Patiala House had sent Mahesh to two days’ police custody, while his parents, Hariram Gupta and Urmila Gupta, were remanded in judicial custody.The three were arrested in connection with the collapse of the five-storey building in Satya Niketan on September 6.Police had earlier sought custodial remand of Mahesh and 14 days’ judicial custody for his parents.
Police probe ownership, management of property
According to Delhi Police, the building’s electricity connection was in Hariram’s name, while Mahesh handled its management.The property itself was registered in the name of Urmila.Police said the property was being managed and run by Hariram and Mahesh. Hariram, 81, is a retired Indian Air Force sergeant and had electricity connections for two floors of the building in his name. Mahesh, 52, runs a hardware and paint shop and has two children.Police are also searching for the PG operators and labour contractors connected with the property. Their roles will be examined as part of the investigation, following which further action will be taken, police said.
Seven killed, 12 rescued
The five-storey building housing a PG collapsed in Satya Niketan on September 6.Rescue operations have been completed, with 12 people rescued from the debris, seven of whom died.The mortal remains of all the deceased have been handed over to their families.The investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse is continuing.(With ANI inputs)
