Satya Niketan building collapse: PG operator, contractor held; CM announces aid

A PG operator and a labour contractor have been arrested in connection with the collapse of a five-storey PG building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan that left seven people dead.

Building owner Hariram, an 81-year-old retired Indian Air Force sergeant, his 75-year-old wife Urmila, and their 52-year-old son Mahesh have already been arrested. On Monday, a Delhi court sent the couple to 14 days’ judicial custody and Mahesh to two days’ police custody.

Investigators have scrutinised construction and repair work at the building and a rent agreement that reportedly disclaimed liability for tenant casualty. They are also probing the role of the leaseholders of the building. During the investigation, Mahesh reportedly told police that he used to look after the maintenance of the building on behalf of his parents.

Other PG operator on the run

Sudhanshu, one of the two business partners running the Hostel Daze PG, was arrested during the investigation and is being questioned by police. His business partner Shubham Tyagi is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace him.

Mahesh had reportedly leased the property to Sudhanshu and Tyagi in August 2025. The duo subsequently started operating the premises as a paying guest accommodation under the name Hostel Daze.

Also read: Satya Niketan collapse: Delhi CM orders demolition of unsafe PG

According to police, the basement had been undergoing repairs for the past eight to 10 days after waste and water accumulated there over days of rain. The ground floor was also being repaired for an extension, allegedly for commercial purposes.

The police said the family learned about the collapse from locals and decamped to Mahesh’s in-laws’ house in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, where they were arrested.

The contractor, Sanoj, was apprehended from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh and is being brought to Delhi for questioning in connection with the construction and repair work carried out at the building.

Demolition of adjoining building begins

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Tuesday (September 8) began the controlled demolition of a building adjoining the collapsed structure even as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the AIIMS Trauma Centre and met the families of affected students.

Also read: Delhi PG collapse: An IAS dream crushed, a gift of sight amid tragedy

An MCD official said the building had been declared dangerous. The building housed a girls’ PG accommodation and was evacuated after the collapse of the neighbouring structure.

The same day, the MCD issued an order for property no 13 in Satya Niketan, directing the owner or occupier to tear down the structure, citing it as a threat to residents and neighbouring buildings.

CM orders safety review

Chief Minister Gupta, who announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the injured, also directed the MCD to conduct a safety review of PGs across the city, including checks of building safety, requisite permissions, Fire Safety NOCs, and structural stability certificates.

AIIMS in a statement said, “Of the four patients admitted, two patients, Aditya and Nitish Chib, have been discharged after receiving treatment. Neeraj Bawa remains admitted in the ICU and is in critical condition, while Asgar Ali is stable.”

The compensation for the kin of those who died in the tragedy will reportedly be announced soon.

Extra floors for extra income

The FIR registered in the building collapse mentions that the building was several years old and that its owners, Hariram and his brother, had constructed additional floors allegedly for rental income.

Also read: Ground Report | Satya Niketan tragedy: Life in Delhi's PGs, one collapse away from disaster

The FIR states that the new construction had put pressure on the existing structure and that the owners knew its foundation could not bear the additional load.

Investigators are also examining a rent agreement issued to occupants of the PG. According to a police source, the agreement states that the PG operators would not be responsible for any “casualties or risk” to tenants.

Rules in favour of owners

It also purportedly says the hostel would not be liable to pay compensation for personal injury, loss or damage to belongings caused by circumstances beyond its control, including sealing, fire, earthquake, heavy rain and other natural calamities.

The agreement states that tenants leaving before the stipulated period would not be entitled to a refund of hostel fees or security money, and registration money paid for booking a PG seat was non-refundable.

It also gave the operators the power to immediately evict a tenant for indiscipline, misconduct, breach of rules, disrespect towards authorities, non-payment of dues or misbehaviour with wardens, staff or other students.

Also read: 'We've hardly added any hostels in 32 years': Manoj Jha after Satya Niketan collapse

Parents and guardians were also barred from entering tenants’ rooms, according to the document.

Anger and fear among students

The tragedy has triggered anger and fear among students living in the South Campus area, who have raised concerns over high rents, cramped accommodation and the safety of PG buildings.

Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government would bring a policy and a web portal within 30-45 days to regulate PGs and coaching institutes.

The proposed system would include details of PG accommodations, their availability, facilities and safety norms on a common portal.

(With agency inputs)