New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed authorities across the country to file affidavits detailing the steps taken to comply with its earlier directions on unauthorised constructions, taking note of the recent Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi that claimed seven lives and injured 12 people.
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan accepted a suggestion from amicus curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha that authorities submit reports on the action taken pursuant to the apex court’s previous orders.
The matter came up after the amicus brought the “tragic incident” at Satya Niketan in Delhi’s Motibagh area to the court’s attention. The five-storeyed PG building collapsed, killing seven people and leaving 12 injured.
The Bench was informed that the Delhi High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation concerning the collapse, had on September 7 directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to submit a report. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 25.
The amicus said the High Court proceedings could continue while authorities separately submit a comprehensive report before the Supreme Court on issues covered by the ongoing proceedings.
The court was also informed that inspections had already been conducted in areas covered by its earlier directions, including Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Saket and Sarojini Nagar in Delhi, and Aliganj in Lucknow.
Accepting the suggestion, the Supreme Court said it would, for the time being, not disturb the proceedings before the Delhi High Court. It requested the High Court to monitor the PIL at short intervals.
The apex court directed the matter to be listed on September 15 at 2 p.m. and ordered the concerned parties to file affidavits on compliance with its directions issued from time to time, making clear that the exercise was “not limited to Delhi and Lucknow”.
The proceedings form part of the Supreme Court’s continuing scrutiny of illegal and unauthorised constructions and the failure of civic authorities to take effective action despite repeated directions.
The court had earlier directed the constitution of an expert committee comprising senior professors and draughtsmen from IIT Delhi to inspect areas including Saket, Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar, along with MCD officials and the amicus curiae. It had also emphasised that merely issuing notices was insufficient and that concrete action, including sealing or demolition where warranted by law, was required.
The Satya Niketan collapse has intensified concerns over structural safety and enforcement of building norms in Delhi. The Delhi High Court has also questioned whether responsibility for such incidents can rest solely with property owners and flagged the role of university authorities and the MCD in ensuring compliance with building bye-laws.
The High Court had directed the MCD to conduct a high-level inquiry into whether the collapsed building and similar structures had valid permissions and complied with applicable bye-laws, and to fix responsibility on officials if violations were found.
Following the incident, the Delhi government suspended five MCD officials and ordered a drive against buildings with unauthorised fifth floors.
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