The Delhi High Court on Monday came down heavily on authorities over the deadly Satya Niketan PG collapse, observing that the tragedy “could have been avoided” had the concerned authorities been alive
to the duties cast upon them.
The court issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, Delhi University (DU) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking their responses on the incident and steps to prevent similar tragedies.
The court sought a detailed response from the MCD on whether there are regulations governing PG accommodations in the national capital. It also directed Delhi University to provide data on the number of outstation students enrolled in its colleges and the number of hostels being run by the university and its colleges. The court sought replies from all the concerned authorities, including the NHRC.
During the hearing, the court expressed concern over the safety of students living in privately run PG accommodations. A submission before the court stated: “These PGs are not safe for children, they can’t provide security.” It further highlighted the shortage of institutional accommodation, stating: “The problem is because there are lack of hostels.”
The PIL was filed following the collapse of buildings being used as a boys’ PG in Satya Niketan, where around 50 students were reportedly staying. The incident has claimed seven lives, while rescue teams pulled several people from the debris and shifted the injured to hospitals.
The petitioner also raised concerns about alleged unauthorised construction and questioned whether PG owners were building beyond sanctioned limits. The court’s observations have put the spotlight on the wider issue of student accommodation in Delhi, particularly the dependence on privately operated PGs in the absence of adequate hostel facilities.
Meanwhile, the owner of the collapsed building has been arrested, and police are investigating the circumstances leading to the incident and possible violations.
