Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced sweeping action following the deadly building collapse in Satya Niketan, where a five-storey building being used as a paying guest accommodation collapsed, killing seven people.
In a post on social media, Gupta said the government had taken the incident with the “utmost seriousness” and that anyone found guilty or responsible would not be spared.
As part of the immediate action, the MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer have been suspended with immediate effect. The suspensions are pending disciplinary proceedings.
The building owner, identified in reports as Hariram Bansal, was apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, after police launched a manhunt following the collapse.
Police had earlier registered an FIR against the owner and issued a Look Out Circular after he became untraceable following the incident. Ten police teams were reportedly deployed to locate him.
The case involves allegations including culpable homicide and negligence, while the exact circumstances behind the collapse remain under investigation.
Gupta also announced immediate action against unauthorised construction across the capital.
The Delhi government has ordered the immediate sealing of buildings having unauthorised fifth floors. Nearby PG accommodations and other buildings are also being thoroughly inspected for structural and regulatory violations.
Authorities have been directed to take strict action, including sealing properties where violations are found.
The move follows concerns over unauthorised construction and building safety in areas where residential properties have been converted into PG accommodations.
According to MCD officials, the collapsed structure was a G+4 building constructed on a plot of around 55 square yards, while the original permission was reportedly only for a G+1 structure.
The collapse occurred on Sunday in the densely populated Satya Niketan area of southwest Delhi. The building was being used as a boys' PG accommodation.
The death toll has risen to seven, while 12 people have been rescued from the debris, according to the latest reports. Rescue agencies have continued searching the site for anyone who may still be trapped.
The incident has raised serious questions over building safety, unauthorised construction and regulatory oversight, particularly in areas where old residential structures are being converted into student and PG accommodation.
The Chief Minister has maintained that accountability will be fixed following the tragedy.
Her government's immediate response includes:
Suspension of five MCD officials
Arrest/apprehension of the building owner
A magisterial inquiry into the collapse
Immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors
Inspection of nearby PGs and buildings
Strict action against construction and safety violations
The crackdown is now expected to extend beyond Satya Niketan as authorities inspect similar structures across Delhi.
For the Delhi government, the challenge now is not only to establish what caused the Satya Niketan collapse but also to ensure that other potentially unsafe and unauthorised buildings do not become the next disaster waiting to happen.
