New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on September 10 a plea seeking a time-bound safety inspection and audit of paying guest (PG) accommodations, private hostels and similar student housing in and around colleges and universities across Delhi, following the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people. The court said the matter may be transferred from the Delhi High Court if necessary, noting that the issues overlap with a case before it concerning unsafe and unauthorised construction across India.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan said the issues raised were "serious". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, described the incident as "most unfortunate" and said, "Our heart goes out to the children and the parents."
Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, amicus curiae in the Supreme Court case, said he had inspected the collapse site with an IIT professor and MCD officials and submitted a status report. He sought permission for the court-appointed committee to extend inspections beyond Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar and Saket.
The proposed audit would examine sanctioned building plans, actual construction and floor count, basement alterations, land use, structural safety, fire compliance, entry and exit routes, and dangerous conditions.
The five-storey building, used as the Hostel Daze boys' PG, collapsed around 1.15 pm on September 6. Seven people died and five were injured after a rescue operation lasting more than 27 hours. The property covered about 55 square yards and had a basement and four floors above the ground.
Police have apprehended labour contractor Sanoj from Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, for questioning over construction and repair work. Hariram, his wife Urmila and their son Mahesh have also been arrested. Mahesh allegedly told investigators he handled maintenance for his parents.
Police said basement repairs had been underway for eight to 10 days amid accumulated water and waste, while work was also being carried out on the ground floor for an alleged commercial extension. The FIR alleges additional construction placed pressure on the old structure.
The Delhi High Court had ordered a high-level MCD inquiry on Monday and said authorities could not evade responsibility. Five MCD officials have been suspended. The Supreme Court was also told that a similar Satya Niketan building collapse in April 2022 killed two people and injured four.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.