The investigation into the deadly collapse of a five-storey paying guest accommodation in Delhi's Satya Niketan has widened with the arrest of labour contractor
Sanoj Kumar in Uttar Pradesh and the arrest of PG operator Sudhanshu Lovneesh. The collapse on Sunday killed seven people and has triggered scrutiny of construction activity at the decades-old building, which housed students under the Hostel Daze banner. Sanoj Kumar, 35, was apprehended from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh and brought to Delhi for questioning, police said. Investigators said he had been engaged by building owner Mahesh Gupta for renovation work around 10 days before the collapse. During questioning, Kumar reportedly told police that work was being carried out in the basement to address accumulated waste and water after days of rain. The work involved raising the basement level, with around three truckloads of debris allegedly dumped there. The ground floor was also undergoing work for an extension, reportedly to create space for a shop. Police said a wall obstructing the proposed shop space was removed on the day of the collapse. Investigators are examining whether the repair and alteration work weakened an already vulnerable structure. The building's ownership and construction history are also under scrutiny. According to the FIR, a local enquiry indicated that additional floors had been constructed by the owners, allegedly for rental income. Investigators are examining whether the additional load affected the building's structural stability. PG operator Sudhanshu Lovneesh was also arrested. Police said he and business partner Shubham Tyagi had taken the property on lease in August 2025 and operated it as a boys' PG under the name Hostel Daze. Sudhanshu allegedly runs several other PG facilities in the area, while Tyagi remains absconding. A major focus of the probe is the PG's rent agreement. According to police sources, the document contained clauses stating that the operators would not be responsible for casualties, injuries or loss of belongings arising from circumstances including fire, earthquakes, heavy rain or other events beyond their control. The agreement also reportedly imposed strict conditions on refunds and eviction. Building owner Hariram Gupta, 81, and his wife Urmila, 75, were sent to 14 days' judicial custody, while their son Mahesh Gupta, 52, was remanded to two days' police custody. Police said Mahesh handled maintenance of the property on behalf of his parents. The tragedy has prompted wider action. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed a safety review of PGs across Delhi, including checks on building permissions, fire-safety NOCs and structural stability certificates. She also announced Rs 5 lakh assistance for each injured victim. The MCD has been asked to inspect PG accommodations across the city. The Delhi High Court has separately ordered a high-level MCD inquiry and directed a comprehensive inspection of PG accommodations under its jurisdiction, putting the spotlight on safety and regulatory lapses in student housing. Education Minister Ashish Sood has also said the Delhi government will introduce a policy and web portal within 30-45 days to regulate PGs and coaching institutes, including information on accommodation, facilities and safety norms. Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and fix responsibility for the collapse.
