The death toll in the collapse of a five-storey paying guest accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan rose to seven on Monday, as rescue teams continued clearing debris and police intensified efforts to locate the building’s owner.
The building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’ and located near Delhi University’s South Campus, collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair and construction work was reportedly underway. At least 11 people have been rescued from the debris, according to officials.
The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse and directed police to register an FIR against the building owner. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who visited the site, said the government would take action against those found responsible.
“Following an on-site review and based on the preliminary assessment, Chief Minister has ordered a Magisterial Inquiry of the incident and FIR against the building owner,” the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
Police have registered a case against owner Hari Ram and issued a lookout notice as teams search for him across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The case includes charges related to culpable homicide and negligence, according to The Indian Express.
Preliminary reports have raised questions over the structural condition of the building and the safety of the repair work being carried out before the collapse. The Indian Express reported that investigators are examining alleged construction of additional floors, repair work in the basement and ground floor, inadequate safety checks and the absence of an emergency exit. Residents also reported cracks in the building before the collapse.
The building was reportedly more than four decades old and had undergone renovation for several months before reopening to student tenants in August. Authorities are also examining whether water accumulation in the basement and ongoing construction contributed to the collapse.
Chief Minister Gupta has said the government is considering a policy requiring regular structural audits and safety certification for buildings used by students, patients and other vulnerable groups.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has meanwhile ordered action against illegal buildings with more than four floors following the tragedy, widening the scrutiny beyond the collapsed structure.
The collapse has also triggered protests and criticism over building safety and alleged regulatory failures in the densely populated Satya Niketan area, which has developed into a major hub for Delhi University students. ABVP activists protested at the MCD headquarters on Monday, demanding accountability and action over alleged safety violations.
The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be established. The magisterial inquiry is expected to examine the building’s construction history, permissions, structural condition, renovation work and the role of civic authorities in allowing the premises to operate as a student PG.
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