New Delhi
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The Delhi High Court on Monday questioned the authorities over the Satya Niketan building collapse that has claimed seven lives, asking how unsafe and unauthorised paying guest (PG) accommodations are operating in the national capital.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi University (DU), seeking separate responses on the number of students staying in PG accommodations across Delhi.
Following the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven, the Delhi High Court questioned authorities on unsafe, unauthorized PG accommodations and DU hostel shortages, issuing notices to the Centre, Delhi Govt, MCD, and DU.
The court also sought details from DU on how many students enrolled at the university are provided hostel accommodation.
During the hearing, the bench expressed strong concern over the lack of adequate hostel facilities and the safety of students living in private PGs.
“You [government] can’t escape responsibility,” the court said, stressing that incidents such as the Satya Niketan collapse cannot continue to occur in the capital every few years.
The court also directed authorities to intensify rescue efforts for anyone who may still be trapped under the debris.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, MCD and Delhi Police, told the court that authorities were making every possible effort to rescue those trapped. He also urged that the matter not be sensationalised.
The court, however, questioned how such PG accommodations were being constructed and operated without proper authorisation and in violation of safety regulations.
The bench observed that unsafe PGs pose a serious threat to students and linked the problem to the shortage of hostel facilities in Delhi.
The court has directed the concerned authorities to submit their responses within 10 days and scheduled the next hearing for September 25.
The Satya Niketan tragedy has so far claimed seven lives. The PG owner, Hariram, has been arrested, while five MCD officials have been suspended following the collapse.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has promised strict action against those found responsible.
The incident has now triggered wider scrutiny of building safety in the area, the functioning of civic authorities and the circumstances surrounding repair work at the structure before it collapsed.
