NEW DELHI: The Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people has triggered a wider probe into the property, its operation as a paying guest (PG) facility and alleged renovation work, with Delhi Police arresting the building owner’s family and the MCD suspending five officials over the tragedy.Police have arrested Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila and their son Mahesh. Investigators said the electricity connection was in Hariram’s name, the property was registered in Urmila’s name and Mahesh handled the PG’s management.
Rescue operation ends after 27 hours
The nearly 30-year-old, five-storey building housing the boys’ PG near Delhi University’s South Campus collapsed around 1.30pm on Sunday.
PG building collapse site
After more than 27 hours of rescue work, the operation ended at 5.10pm on Monday, with officials confirming that all debris had been cleared.A total of 12 people were rescued, seven of whom died.Rescuers had to repeatedly switch between heavy machinery and manual excavation whenever they suspected someone could be trapped underneath the rubble. Oxygen cylinders were also lowered into cavities to help survivors breathe.
Hariram family arrested as ownership trail emerges
Hariram was initially untraceable after the collapse and was later apprehended in Bhiwadi. Police had formed 10 teams comprising personnel from district police, the Special Staff and other units to locate him.An FIR was registered and a Look Out Circular was also issued.
Building owner Hariram Gupta
Police subsequently arrested his wife Urmila and son Mahesh.According to investigators, Urmila owned the property, while Hariram and Mahesh were involved in running the PG.Hariram, an 81-year-old retired Indian Air Force sergeant, had electricity connections for two floors of the building in his name, according to police documents.Mahesh is also associated with a hardware and paint business, Hari Paints, in the area.Police are examining the family’s role in the property, the running of the PG and renovation work being carried out there.Investigators are also checking whether the family owned or operated other PG facilities in the area.
Basement work, waterlogging under probe
Police are investigating renovation work allegedly being carried out in the basement before the collapse.Locals claimed water had accumulated in the basement after days of rain and that repair work may have weakened the structure. Civic officials said they could not initially confirm the work because the debris had not been cleared.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta later said water had accumulated in the basement and claimed that the combination of water and ongoing repair work on the old structure resulted in the collapse.Police are also searching for the labour contractor and others allegedly involved in the renovation.
G+4 building had permission for G+1
The building, known as Hostel Daze, stood on around 55 square yards in a resettlement colony where permission had reportedly been granted only for a G+1 structure.The MCD said the building violated construction norms.Investigators are also verifying claims that the property had been sealed earlier, while the MCD has denied that any such action was taken.
PG agreement under scanner
An alleged copy of the PG agreement is also being examined by investigators.The agreement states that the hostel would not be liable for compensation for personal injury, loss or damage to tenants’ belongings in circumstances including sealing, fire, earthquakes and heavy rains.
PG agreement
It also states: “PG authorities are not responsible for any casualties to tenants.”
Five MCD officials suspended
The Delhi government suspended five South Zone MCD officials — deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar, superintending engineer Ranvir Singh, executive engineer, Lalit Kumar Goel, assistant engineer, Sunil Chauhan and junior engineer Ashish Kumar.Mayor Pravesh Wahi said the action was intended to prevent such lapses in future.“This is a big decision so that lapses do not happen in future. A magistrate inquiry has been ordered and the suspension will continue till its report is submitted. The CM and MCD are dedicated to preventing such incidents,” he said.MCD Commissioner Sanjiv Khirwar said officials had been suspended following local allegations and the ongoing inquiry into basement work, while asserting that the civic body had “zero tolerance” towards unauthorised construction.
Delhi HC questions PG safety, hostel shortage
The collapse has also prompted judicial scrutiny.The Delhi High Court termed the incident “most unfortunate” and said responsibility for the safety of students did not lie only with building owners but also with authorities.The court flagged inadequate hostel facilities at Delhi University, saying outstation students are forced to depend on private PGs, and directed the MCD to audit PGs and hostels.It also sought details of building permissions and possible lapses by authorities. The concerned authorities have been asked to file replies within 10 days, with the matter listed for September 25.Case, inquiry into collapseDelhi Police have registered a case against Hariram Gupta under charges including culpable homicide, negligence in upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry, while the chief minister has directed officials to seal illegal five-storey buildings and intensify inspections of PGs.
