New Delhi, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll in the Satya Niketan PG building collapse in south Delhi rose to seven on Monday as police arrested the 75-year-old building owner and two members of her family following an over 24-hour rescue operation.
Rescue teams pulled 12 people from the debris after the five-storey PG building, named ‘Hostel Daze’, collapsed around 1.30 p.m. on Sunday. Seven of those rescued later died during treatment, a police official said.
“The families of the deceased have been handed over the mortal remains,” the official said.
Six of the deceased were identified as Abhishek, 20, from Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh; Yuvraj Soni, 20, from Durg in Chhattisgarh; Pawan, 17, from Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh; Arpit Jahaj, 19, from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh; Akshat Singh Yadav, 18, from Katni in Madhya Pradesh; and Surinder Singh, 75, a labourer. The identity of the seventh victim is yet to be established.
The five injured victims were identified as Asgar Ali, 30; Neeraj Bawa, 19; Aditya Kumar, 19; Nitish Chib, 19; and Md. Ayan, 18. All are undergoing treatment, with three reported to be in critical condition.
The arrested accused include building owner Urmila, 75, her 81-year-old husband Hariram, a retired IAF sergeant, and their 52-year-old son Mahesh, a hardware businessman.
Police said the building was registered in Urmila’s name but was managed and operated by her husband and son. The electricity connection for two floors of the building was registered in Hariram’s name, investigators found.
Police have also launched a search for the PG operators and the labour contractor. Their roles are being examined and further action will be taken based on the investigation, officials said.
Following the collapse, the MCD suspended five officials from its South Zone. Those suspended are Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer Ashish Kumar.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewed the rescue operation at the site and directed civic officials to launch a citywide drive to identify and seal buildings having unauthorised fifth floors. She also ordered a magisterial inquiry and said those found responsible would not be spared.
Later, Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu reviewed enforcement mechanisms against unsafe buildings and measures to augment accommodation for students. He directed urban development officials to lead a committee to review institutional guidelines governing PG accommodations.
The meeting, attended by the Chief Minister and senior officials, stressed strict enforcement against unsafe buildings, clear institutional accountability and an emergency mechanism under the Delhi Disaster Management Authority for swift grievance redressal and crisis coordination.
The building collapse has also prompted judicial scrutiny, with the Delhi High Court expressing serious concern over the safety of students living in paying guest accommodations in the national capital.
The court issued notices to Delhi University, the MCD, the Delhi government, the Centre and Delhi Police on a public interest litigation filed following the collapse. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 25.
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