New Delhi, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court has raised serious concerns over the safety of students living in paying guest (PG) accommodations in the national capital, observing that responsibility for the Satya Niketan building collapse cannot rest solely with the property owner and extends to authorities responsible for enforcing building norms.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to Delhi University, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi government, the Centre and Delhi Police on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed after the collapse of a five-storeyed PG building at Satya Niketan on September 6. The tragedy claimed seven lives.
The court directed the MCD to conduct an inquiry at the highest executive level to determine whether the collapsed building and other concerned structures had been constructed with valid permissions and in compliance with applicable building bye-laws.
The Bench said that if violations or unauthorised construction were found, the MCD must fix responsibility on the concerned officers or employees and inform the court about the action proposed against them.
“The responsibility, prima facie, in our opinion, for such mishaps does not lie solely on the owner of the PG hostel; rather, the responsibility also goes to the University authorities as well as to the MCD,” the court observed.
It said the civic body was responsible for ensuring that construction and repair activities in Delhi complied with building bye-laws and other regulations.
“Had the authorities been alive to their responsibilities and duties cast on them statutorily, perhaps, such incidents could have been avoided,” the Bench remarked.
The court also highlighted the shortage of hostel facilities in Delhi University colleges, noting that students from outside Delhi are often compelled to depend on private PG accommodations.
“It is common knowledge that Delhi University does not provide adequate hostel facilities to its out-station students, as a result of which the students and their parents are constrained to take shelter in these PG hostels,” the court said.
The Bench stressed that increasing hostel capacity was an investment in the country’s future and called for a mechanism to regulate PG accommodations.
“You are investing in the future of the country. It is a very very pathetic situation so far as the number of hostels run by the government and universities is concerned. Some mechanism should be put in place to regulate these PGs,” it said.
The court also expressed concern over alleged unauthorised construction by PG owners, observing that buildings permitted for fewer floors may be extended beyond sanctioned limits.
The PIL was filed by law student Aniket Kumar Gupta and raises concerns over the fundamental right to life and safety of students living in private PGs, hostels and other student housing facilities in Delhi.
The petition identified the collapsed premises as “Hostel Daze Boys PG” in Satya Niketan, a densely populated student accommodation hub near Delhi University’s South Campus. It has raised questions over alleged repair, renovation or construction work undertaken shortly before the collapse, along with the legality of such work, structural integrity, sanctioned building plans, use of the premises as a PG or hostel, structural stability certification and fire safety compliance.
The plea also highlighted student accommodation concerns in areas including Satya Niketan, Vijay Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Gandhi Vihar, Nehru Vihar, Hudson Lane, Gurmandi, Karol Bagh, Old Rajendra Nagar and Laxmi Nagar.
It sought an independent scientific investigation into the collapse, including the roles of owners, builders, contractors, architects, structural engineers and officials responsible for enforcing building regulations. The petition also sought preservation of evidence, an independent judicial or technical committee, compensation and rehabilitation for victims, and a time-bound structural safety audit of PGs and hostels across Delhi.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said five MCD officials had been suspended in connection with the tragedy and ordered a citywide drive to seal buildings having unauthorised fifth floors.
The suspended officials include the Deputy Commissioner, Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer of the MCD’s South Zone.
“The building owner has been arrested. Immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors has been ordered across Delhi,” Gupta said, adding that nearby PGs and buildings were also being inspected.
The owner of the collapsed building, Hariram Bansal, was arrested by Delhi Police in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, after a Look Out Circular was issued against him.
The Delhi High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on September 25.
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