New Delhi, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The collapse of a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, which claimed seven lives last week, has brought renewed attention to the safety and living conditions of students staying in rented accommodations across the national Capital.
Students living in PGs and hostels told IANS they frequently face problems such as deteriorating buildings, high rents and water seepage during the monsoon.
“There were several cracks in the PG accommodation, and the condition of the building was very poor. The room we were staying in was very small, and water would sometimes enter the room. The rent was also very high. During the rains, water would seep into the room,” one student said.
As a temporary safety measure following the Satya Niketan tragedy, some students have been shifted to college campuses. A student staying at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College said the institution was providing accommodation and food and supporting students during the difficult period.
The building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’ PG, was a ground-plus-four-floor structure that collapsed on Sunday, killing seven people and injuring five others. The building was reportedly around 50 years old.
The property had recently undergone repairs and was converted into a PG accommodation by the Gupta family. Its proximity to Delhi University’s South Campus reportedly made it a sought-after location for student housing.
The incident has also prompted the Delhi High Court to take note of the condition of PG accommodations in the Capital. The court has directed civic authorities to inspect such properties and examine their structural and legal status, with a report sought within two weeks.
According to the FIR, the owners allegedly knew that the building’s old foundation could not support additional weight, yet further construction was allegedly carried out. The FIR states that the additional construction placed considerable pressure on the structure and its load-bearing capacity.
FIR No. 153/2026 was registered at South Campus Police Station under Sections 105, 290 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence in building construction or repair, and acts endangering life or personal safety.
Delhi Police have arrested 81-year-old Hariram Gupta, his wife and their son in connection with the case. Gupta is a retired Sergeant of the Indian Air Force.
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