NEW DELHI: An 81-year-old retired Indian Air Force sergeant, a family-run paying guest accommodation and a string of properties in Gurgaon have emerged as key elements in the investigation into the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people.Delhi police are probing the role of Hariram Gupta and his family in the property and the renovation work underway there, news agency PTI reported.Hariram, who was initially believed to be the owner of the decades-old building, was arrested in Bhiwadi on the Haryana-Rajasthan border while allegedly trying to evade arrest.His 75-year-old wife Urmila Gupta and 52-year-old son Mahesh Gupta were also arrested on Monday.
Retired IAF sergeant at centre of probe
Police documents showed that Urmila owned the property, while Hariram and Mahesh were involved in managing the PG, according to investigators.Hariram, a retired Indian Air Force sergeant, had electricity connections for two floors of the building in his name. Mahesh runs a hardware and paint shop, Hari Paints, in the area, PTI reported.Hariram is a resident of Sector 23 in Gurgaon and has another son who is a pilot, according to local police.Neighbours said the family’s house was found locked and Mahesh’s paint shop was shut within hours of the collapse.
Four Gurgaon properties under scrutiny
A neighbour claimed Hariram owns at least four other properties in Gurgaon, though he said he had no knowledge about the Satya Niketan building.Police are also examining whether the family owned or operated any other PG facilities in the area.Investigators are likely to seek the remand of Mahesh, who allegedly handled the day-to-day operations of the PG, PTI reported.Police are also searching for the PG operators and the labour contractor involved in the renovation work.
Basement renovation, waterlogging under scanner
The investigation is focused on the family’s alleged role in running the PG and the renovation work underway in the basement, which police suspect may have contributed to the collapse.The five-storey building, spread across around 55 square metres, had two rooms on each floor, with two beds in each room. Police sources said not all rooms were occupied.Renovation work was underway in the basement when the building collapsed around 1.30pm on Sunday. The basement reportedly had a chronic waterlogging problem.A police source said the structure had no columns or beams.
Was the building sealed last year?
Police are also verifying claims that the building had been sealed last year. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), however, has denied that any such action had taken place.Investigators are examining a copy of a rent agreement that allegedly contained a clause absolving the owner of responsibility, a police source said.The circumstances surrounding the building’s condition, the renovation work and the alleged operation of the PG are now among the key aspects being investigated.The rescue operation at the site has been completed, according to authorities.12 people were rescued from the debris, of whom seven died. Police said the bodies of all the deceased had been handed over to their families.A case was registered at South Campus Police Station against the accused under charges including culpable homicide, negligence in the upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.(With agency inputs)
