Delhi CM orders magisterial inquiry and FIR against owner after Satya Niketan PG collapse

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of a boys' paying guest building in Satya Niketan and directed that a case be registered against its owner. After visiting the site and reviewing the initial assessment, she said those responsible would face the strictest provisions of the law.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel said an FIR had been registered at South Campus police station against building owner Hariram and others. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct in pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings, and conduct endangering life or personal safety.

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Those found responsible will be held fully accountable and dealt with under the strictest provisions of the law.

Goel said the building was a paying guest accommodation and that renovation work was alleged to have been under way on the ground floor when the collapse occurred. He said the preliminary investigation pointed to the ground floor, while a further probe would establish the facts. Police formed multiple teams to trace the people allegedly involved.

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The building was a PG. It is alleged that renovation work was being undertaken at the ground floor, which led to the collapse of the building. Multiple teams have been formed to trace the alleged persons. A total of 10 people have been rescued till now. Four were declared brought dead and one succumbed to injuries during treatment. The rescue operation is still undergoing.

Ten people had been rescued, according to the police statement. Four were declared dead on arrival and another person died during treatment. The rescue operation was still under way. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Centralised Accident and Trauma Services and Civil Defence coordinated the response.

As a precaution, authorities evacuated the building next to the collapsed structure. Gupta remained in contact with senior officials, including the regional district magistrate, Delhi Police and the NDRF, while seeking updates on the rescue and relief work.

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However, further probe will give the clear picture.