India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Several buildings around the site of the Satya Niketan building collapse have been sealed after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) served notices to their owners. The building next to the collapsed structure is also set to be demolished in phases, officials said.
The move comes after seven people were killed in the building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area on Sunday.
Seven died in Delhi’s Satya Niketan building collapse; the MCD is sealing nearby structures, demolishing a weak adjacent building, and inspecting others city-wide. Owner Hariram Gupta, who hid after the incident, has been apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
The neighbouring building is currently being held up with guard rails. Around 18 to 20 supports have been placed across the front, rear and middle sections of the structure. Officials said the building is particularly vulnerable because it does not have pillars or beams and its overall structure is weak.
A notice has been served to the building, and authorities have decided to demolish it in phases to avoid any further risk.
The Satya Niketan collapse has also prompted the MCD to launch inspections of buildings across the city.
The civic body has asked executive engineers in all zones to inspect buildings under their jurisdiction and submit detailed reports by September 10.
Officials said the findings from the inspections will be included in an affidavit that the MCD is required to submit before the Delhi High Court within 10 days.
The inspection exercise will be closely monitored by the additional commissioners responsible for the respective zones, officials said.
As part of the administrative changes following the collapse, IAS officer Shashvat Saurabh has been given additional charge of the MCD’s South Zone. The move comes after South Zone Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar was suspended on Monday.
Five MCD officials suspended after collapse
The MCD has suspended Kumar along with four engineering officials pending disciplinary proceedings in connection with the Satya Niketan collapse.
The building collapse left seven people dead and at least six others injured, putting the spotlight on the safety of buildings in the area and raising questions about possible lapses by civic authorities.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have traced and apprehended Hariram Gupta, the owner of the collapsed building, from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.
Police said 10 teams had been formed to locate Gupta after he went missing following the collapse. An officer said Gupta was apprehended in Bhiwadi and that further questioning was underway.
Owner of collapsed PG held in Bhiwadi
Police said Gupta was in Gurugram when the building came down on Sunday. After receiving a call from an acquaintance informing him about the incident, he allegedly switched off his phone and went into hiding.
Investigators initially tried to contact him but could not reach him. Police subsequently issued a lookout circular (LOC) and shared his details with neighbouring states and airports to prevent him from leaving the country.
A senior police officer said 10 teams were formed to track him down. The teams included personnel from the Southwest district, Special Staff and other units of the Delhi Police.
After searches at multiple locations, the teams eventually traced Gupta to Bhiwadi, where he was apprehended. The police are now questioning him as part of their investigation into the building collapse.
