Satya Niketan building collapse: 7 dead, 12 rescued; 5 MCD officials suspended

Seven people have been killed in the building collapse in southwest Delhi’s Satya Niketan area even as search and rescue operations continue for the second day to find any survivors from the rubble.

The building, which housed a boys' paying guest accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday (September 6) while repair work was underway.

So far, 12 people have been rescued from the debris of the decades-old multi-storey building.

MCD officials suspended

Following the incident, the Delhi government has suspended the Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer, and Junior Engineer of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar told reporters that the building in question, which was built in the 1970s, was never given a notice or sealed. “There was no complaint regarding the building," ANI quoted him as saying.

Also read: Satya Niketan building collapse: Latest student hub tragedy where safety went for a toss

Asked about the number of unauthorised buildings in Delhi, Khirwar said that while the MCD doesn’t have an exact figure, regular identification is conducted. “In the last three months, 960 demolitions were carried out, 407 buildings were sealed, and notices were served to 1500 buildings for sealing and demolition. This is a regular process to take action against unauthorised construction," he said.

No dangerous building will be spared: Delhi CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta blamed the collapse to the accumulation of water in the basement combined with the ongoing repair work on the old structure. She said the government is in touch with the parents of the deceased students and the ones admitted to the hospital are receiving proper medical treatment.

Stating that her government is being guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gupta said any such building posing danger to lives will be strictly dealt with and undergo a structural audit.

“This matter is also under the direct personal supervision of our Health Minister, JP Nadda. The Union Home Minister is closely monitoring the situation, and we are receiving guidance from the Prime Minister as well. No dangerous building will be spared; all such buildings will undergo a structural audit, and appropriate action will be taken," she said.

Not sure of number of trapped people: NDRF

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General (IG) Narendra Bundela on Monday (September 7) said that the federal contingency force did not have a "specific figure" on the number of people trapped under the debris.

Bundela said the NDRF is using cutters, hydraulic jacks and canine teams to look for signs of life at the site. Two NDRF technical teams have been deployed at the site since Sunday.

Also read: Hyderabad building collapse: Two dead, several injured in Madhapur

Multiple agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force and Delhi Disaster Management Authority, have been carrying out rescue operations through the night.

Bundela said the rescue operation is expected to last till late Monday.

Chief Minister Gupta said approximately 80 per cent of the debris has been cleared and only the rubble from the basement remains.

Case filed, inquiry ordered

Earlier in the day, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said 11 patients were received at the JPN Apex Trauma Centre following the building collapse.

"Out of the 11 patients, five were brought dead, while one patient who was in critical condition later succumbed to his injuries; three patients have been admitted and are being treated. One patient underwent limb surgery. One patient had sustained a minor injury and was discharged after observation," the statement read.

Also read: Bhiwandi building collapse: 9 killed, at least 3 still trapped

Police have also registered a case against the building’s owner Hari Ram Bansal and others on charges of culpable homicide, negligence in upkeep of a structure, and endangering safety of others, at the South Campus Police Station. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered.

Lookout notice against building owner

Delhi Police have also issued a lookout notice against Hari Ram.

The notice was issued as efforts continue to trace those allegedly responsible for the incident, the police source told PTI.

Bansal’s neighbours describe him as a person with a decent personality and one who owns multiple buildings in the area.

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“Bansalji's shop is in the market. Our relationship is simply that we occasionally buy goods from his store; he has a decent personality. He has been living here for years. He owns several other houses here as well; his daughter and son also live nearby in Sector 23. He owns a hardware shop. I have no idea about Delhi; I don't know if he owns a house in Satya Niketan or anything like that, but he does have four or five properties here,” SP Sharma, a neighbour of Bansal told ANI.