SC Declines Satya Niketan Case Transfer, Eyes PG Safety

The Supreme Court announced on Thursday that it will not transfer the Satya Niketan building collapse case from the Delhi High Court to itself, stating that proceedings in the lower court have begun to move forward. While declining to take over the case directly, the apex court indicated it would examine broader issues related to the conversion of residential properties for commercial use and associated safety violations, particularly concerning student accommodations. The collapse of a five-story building in Satya Niketan on September 6 resulted in seven fatalities and left five individuals injured. In the aftermath, Delhi Police arrested the building owner, her husband, and their son. Investigators are examining potential structural alterations, including the removal of a ground-floor wall to create shop space, as a possible contributing factor to the collapse. The Delhi High Court had previously ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and emphasized that government authorities could not evade responsibility.