Overview
- A five‑storey building used as the Hostel Daze paying‑guest accommodation in Satya Niketan collapsed on Sunday, September 6, killing seven people and injuring five others after a rescue operation that lasted more than a day.
- Police have arrested the property owners, a labour contractor and one PG operator while another operator is reported absconding as investigators examine alleged unauthorised additional floors and recent basement and ground‑floor repair work that may have overloaded the old structure.
- Investigators are scrutinising a lease and a rent agreement that reportedly disclaimed operator liability for casualties and are collecting contractor statements and structural evidence to support charges including culpable homicide and negligent construction.
- The Delhi government and civic agencies have suspended five MCD officials, ordered demolition of a neighbouring unsafe building, evacuated students from other risky PGs and begun citywide inspections that have already led to sealing and relocations in student clusters.
- Judicial review is expanding the response with the Delhi High Court ordering inquiries and the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a plea for a time‑bound safety audit on September 10 while the state pledges a PG regulation and centralised portal within about 30–60 days to tighten licensing and inspections.