NEW DELHI: Six people have died after a multi-storey paying guest building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, with rescue teams working through the night to clear heavy debris and search for people still feared trapped.
The tragedy has now triggered wider civic action. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has ordered the immediate sealing of illegal constructions with more than four floors, while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry and action against those responsible.
One more person was pulled out during the overnight rescue operation but was found dead, taking the toll to six. Eleven people have been rescued so far, according to officials.
Several others, most of them students, are feared to remain under the rubble.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, and other agencies continued the search at the site on Monday (Sept 7).
MCD orders sealing of illegal buildings after Satya Niketan collapse
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said illegal constructions with more than four floors would be sealed immediately.
He also warned of action against civic officials found responsible for allowing such structures to come up.
“The culprits of the Satya Niketan building incident in Delhi will not be spared under any circumstances.
"All illegal constructions with more than four floors will be immediately sealed, and strict action will be taken against the guilty officials, leading to their immediate dismissal.
"These orders will be implemented with immediate effect,” Wahi said in a post on X.
The announcement significantly widens the administrative response beyond the building that collapsed on Sunday (Sept 6).
Magisterial inquiry ordered, FIR registered against alleged owner
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the collapse site and ordered a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to the disaster.
She also directed officials to register an FIR against the building owner.
“Those found responsible for this grave incident will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of law,” Gupta said after reviewing the situation.
Police said a case has been registered at the South Campus police station against the alleged owner Hariram and others.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel confirmed the registration of the FIR.
Building housed students near Delhi University South Campus
The building was around 40 to 50 years old and had a basement and five upper floors, according to police.
It was being used as a paying guest accommodation and had rooms for around 40 people.
Many of those staying there were students studying at Delhi University’s South Campus.
The structure collapsed at around 1.30pm on Sunday (Sept 6).
Repair work was reportedly underway in the basement at the time. Officials have also indicated that heavy rainfall may have contributed to the incident.
The precise circumstances behind the collapse are now part of the inquiry.
Student safety protests erupt after Delhi building collapse
The disaster has also brought the safety of student accommodation in the Capital under sharper scrutiny.
Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad protested outside the MCD headquarters over safety standards in paying guest accommodations in student-dominated areas.
Protesters entered the civic body’s premises and staged a dharna demanding administrative action.
Congress leader and AICC Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja also questioned the government over the safety of students living in such buildings.
“What is the BJP government doing? They have forgotten what happened at the coaching centre. A mafia is operating in Delhi.
"These children are sent away with so many hopes. They are the only support for their parents. Who is responsible for their safety?” Selja said.
Former Delhi Chief Secretary Omesh Saigal, meanwhile, raised concerns over unauthorised construction and the addition of floors to buildings without adequate checks.
“Look at the kind of buildings constructed in Delhi—I would say that in some areas, one in five buildings is unauthorised; either the blueprints weren’t approved, extra floors were added, or the construction is substandard,” he said.
Saigal called for restrictions on fresh construction in areas that are already congested and heavily built up.
“At the very least, we should ban new construction in these areas. We must halt new construction—or stop sanctioning building plans—for areas that are already over-congested and over-built. These are the things that need to be addressed,” he said.
Search and rescue teams remained at the Satya Niketan site as efforts continued to locate anyone still trapped under the debris. - The Statesman/ANN
