Delhi CM Rekha Gupta has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to launch a crackdown on illegal construction spanning across the city. The Delhi government has directed that “dilapidated buildings” near the collapsed structure be demolished. Authorities have issued eviction orders to three more buildings in Satya Niketan, a bustling student enclave dominated by private hostels and PG accommodations catering to students from Delhi University’s South Campus.
The move comes ahead of a five-story paying guest building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area collapsing, claiming the lives of as many as seven people, triggering a fresh wave of demolition and safety inspections across student hostels in the city. The building identified as “Hotel Daze,” usually cramped with Delhi University students, collapsed on the 6th of September, earlier this month.
“They treat us like animals. The landlords and property owners here think we can live in drains,” a student who lives in a PG near the collapsed building told FoEJ Media.
“They have created a huge PG mafia that cheats people. They charge students ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, and the living conditions are extremely poor,” another student said.
“The rooms are like matchboxes. You don’t get proper food, and sometimes you end up with jaundice, sometimes typhoid. If you somehow survive all that, the building might collapse. They won’t let you leave here alive,” a student said.
The collapsed building was operated by two business partners. While one of them is absconding, the Delhi Police has arrested the other one, Sudhanshu.
The owner of the building, 81-year-old Hariram Gupta, has also been apprehended and sent to 14-day judicial custody by a Patiala court. His wife, 75-year-old Urmila Gupta, and son, 52-year-old Mahesh Gupta, were also arrested in connection with the case.
As per the reports of the news agency ANI, a building contractor and a mason are also being taken to the court. Earlier to this, police apprehended labor contractor Sanoj, who was supervising repair work in the building’s basement.
The Delhi High Court took cognisance of an urgent public interest litigation (PIL) petition concerning the building collapse, seeking accountability from government officials responsible for regulatory oversight.
The court proceedings followed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s decision to suspend five officials from its South Zone, including Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Gupta, over their alleged lapses in connection with the incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed the MCD to demolish the adjoining building, as it is in a “dilapidated condition.”
“On the instructions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, MCD has been directed to demolish the dilapidated building adjoining the accident site in the interest of public safety. The belongings of students inside the building are being safely removed by Delhi Fire Service personnel in a systematic manner. All students and local residents are requested to cooperate with the authorities,” Delhi CMO wrote on X.
