New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday night remanded Hariram Gupta, 81, and his wife Urmila Gupta, 75, to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people. Their son, Mahesh Gupta, 52, was sent to two days of police custody.
The trio was arrested after the five-storey structure, operating as a boys’ paying guest (PG) accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus, caved in around 1.30 pm on Sunday during repair work. Police said Hariram, a retired Indian Air Force sergeant, was apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, after allegedly fleeing the city.
Investigators told the court that Urmila was the registered property owner, Hariram held the electricity connection in his name, and Mahesh managed the PG’s day-to-day operations. Authorities are also hunting for the PG operators and the labour contractor, while examining claims that the building had been sealed earlier and scrutinising a rent agreement that allegedly sought to absolve the owner of liability.
Rescue Ends With Seven Dead
The 27-hour rescue operation concluded around 5.10 pm on Monday, with seven bodies recovered and five survivors pulled from the debris. All 12 were rushed to AIIMS, where three of the injured remained in critical condition, as reported by India Today.
The deceased were identified as Abhishek, 20, from Sonebhadra in Uttar Pradesh; Yuvraj Soni, 20, from Durg in Chhattisgarh; Pawan, 17, from Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh; Arpit Jahaj, 19, from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh; Akshat Singh Yadav, 18, from Katni in Madhya Pradesh; 75-year-old labourer Surinder Singh; and an unidentified person, around 18.
The injured were named as Asgar Ali, 30, Neeraj Bawa, 19, Aditya Kumar, 19, Nitish Chib, 19, and Md Ayan, 18.
HC Orders High-Level MCD Probe
The Delhi High Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a “high-level” inquiry into the collapse, observing that the government could not evade responsibility. The court also ordered a citywide audit of all PG accommodations and hostels within a week.
Five MCD officials have been suspended in the wake of the tragedy.
Sealing Drive, Audits Ordered
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government had ordered the immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors across Delhi. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed structural audits and inspection drives in PG hubs, particularly targeting structures that violated height and floor restrictions.
Committees involving the district magistrate, deputy commissioner of police and MCD deputy commissioner have been tasked with reaching out to students in PG accommodation, hearing their grievances and compiling a comprehensive database.
Protests, Political Blame Game
Student organisations, including AISA, ABVP, SFI and NSUI, held separate protests demanding accountability, safer accommodation and more hostels.
The collapse has also triggered a political confrontation between the BJP, AAP and Congress over responsibility for the tragedy and the regulation of student housing in Delhi.
