Delhi HC Orders Inquiry Into PG Building Collapse

The Delhi High Court has ordered a high-level inquiry into the collapse of a five-story paying guest building in Satya Niketan, which killed seven people and injured several others. The court also criticized municipal and university authorities, stating they share responsibility for the tragedy and called for urgent steps to regulate paying guest accommodations across the capital. The building collapsed on Sunday afternoon while repair work was underway. Rescue operations, involving multiple agencies including the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service, and Delhi Police, continued into Monday. As of Monday, seven fatalities had been confirmed, and 12 people had been rescued from the debris. The owner of the building, who had been absconding, was arrested in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. During a hearing on Monday concerning a public interest litigation, a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a thorough inquiry into whether the collapsed structure had valid permissions. The court emphasized that accountability must be fixed on officials if any unauthorized construction is found.