Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday vowed strict action against those responsible for the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people, saying “anyone found guilty or responsible will not be spared”.
The building was being used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation and housed several students when it came down at around 1.30 pm on Sunday, police said.
In a message on X, Gupta said, “MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer have been suspended with immediate effect following the tragic Satya Niketan incident. Gupta said the owner of the collapsed building had been arrested and that authorities had ordered the immediate sealing of buildings across Delhi with unauthorised fifth floors. Immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors has been ordered across Delhi,” she said.
“The building owner has been arrested. The action came a day after the five-storey building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people. His arrest came hours after police issued a Look Out Circular following the collapse. After inspecting the site, she assured that action would be taken against officials found guilty of negligence or failing to carry out their duties. The protesters raised concerns over the Satya Niketan collapse and demanded proper hostel facilities for all university students.
The owner, Hariram Bansal, was arrested by Delhi Police in Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi on Monday. Gupta visited the collapse site on Monday morning to take stock of the rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, students affiliated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) staged a protest and took out a march at Delhi University’s North Campus on Monday.
