4 days ago
Delhi High Court Blames Criminal Conduct for Satya Niketan Collapse
A five-storey building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area fell down, killing seven people.
Five of those who died were young students who had come to Delhi to study.
The Delhi High Court said this was not just an accident.
It said careless and possibly criminal actions may have caused the tragedy.
The building was reportedly 40 to 50 years old.
Repair work was happening in its basement when it collapsed.
Police have arrested the building owner, some family members, a contractor and the accommodation operator.
The court will hear related cases again on September 25.
The Delhi High Court called the Satya Niketan building collapse the result of “callous and criminal conduct,” not an ordinary mishap.
Seven people were killed when the five-storey building collapsed; five victims were students aged 17 to 19.
The students came from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to study at Delhi University colleges.
The 40- to 50-year-old building was undergoing basement repairs and had reportedly been leased as paying guest accommodation.
Police have arrested the owner, his family members, a labour contractor and the operator of the “Hostel Daze” accommodation.
- Who
- Seven people were killed, including five students; the Delhi High Court is hearing a public interest petition, while police have arrested the building owner, relatives, a labour contractor and the paying guest operator.
- What
- A five-storey building collapsed, prompting the High Court to describe the conduct behind the incident as “callous and criminal.”
- Where
- Satya Niketan in Delhi.
- When
- The High Court made the remarks on Wednesday and listed the matter for September 25.
- Why
- The building reportedly collapsed during basement repair work, amid allegations that it was unsafe and had been leased as paying guest accommodation despite its limitations.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Seven people were killed.
- Victims
- Five deceased students were aged between 17 and 19.
- Building
- The structure was reportedly 40 to 50 years old and five storeys high.
- Incident circumstances
- Repair work was underway in the basement when the building collapsed.
- Arrests
- Owner Hari Ram, his son Mahesh, his wife Urmila, labour contractor Saroj and Hostel Daze operator Sudhanshu were arrested.
- Next hearing
- The case was listed for September 25.
- Accommodation agreement
- The rent agreement reportedly said operators would not be responsible for casualties or risks to tenants.
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench
The bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Kari.
“It has been happening for 20 to 25 years in the hope that they will build their career.”
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“It’s not an ordinary incident of any mishap.”
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Sources
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