New Delhi, Sept. 7: The owner of a five-storey building that collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, killing at least seven people and leaving several others feared trapped under the debris, was arrested from Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi on Monday as authorities intensified the probe into the disaster and possible lapses in building safety.
Hariram Bansal was apprehended in Bhiwadi hours after Delhi Police issued a Look Out Circular against him following the collapse. Police had formed 10 teams to trace the owner after he went absconding in the aftermath of the incident.
The building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, was being used as a boys’ paying guest accommodation and housed several students when it collapsed. An adjacent building also reportedly came down, according to eyewitnesses, raising concerns about the structural condition and safety of buildings in the area.
Rescue and search operations continued through the night, with officials saying several people, mostly students, were still feared to be beneath the rubble. Seven deaths have so far been confirmed, while several others are undergoing treatment.
The incident has also triggered action against officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Delhi government suspended five MCD employees from the South Zone with immediate effect. Those suspended are Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer Ashish Kumar.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the collapse site again on Monday morning to assess the rescue operation and related measures. She said strict action would follow against officials found responsible for negligence or oversight and had earlier directed action against MCD personnel held accountable for the incident.
The Chief Minister’s Office also said authorities had been directed to immediately seal illegal five-storey buildings across Delhi as part of measures aimed at enforcing safety requirements and preventing similar incidents.
The criminal investigation is being conducted separately by Delhi Police. An FIR has been registered at the South Campus police station against Bansal and others, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Southwest, Amit Goel confirmed.
The owner’s arrest followed the issuance of the lookout notice, with the 10 police teams working to locate him before he was apprehended in Bhiwadi.
As rescue personnel continue searching the collapsed structure, authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the building’s operation as a student accommodation, the condition of the premises and the role of those responsible for its construction, maintenance or oversight.
