Delhi HC calls Satya Niketan collapse ‘not an ordinary mishap’, flags ‘criminal conduct’

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday described the Satya Niketan multi-storey hostel building collapse, which killed seven people, including students, as “not an ordinary” mishap and expressed anguish over the young lives lost in the tragedy. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that four students who died had travelled to the national Capital from small towns carrying hopes and dreams of building their careers, only to have those aspirations shattered.

Court voices anguish

“Four students lost their lives in the mishap... very tragic. It's not an ordinary incident of any mishap,” the bench orally observed. The court said the students had come to Delhi with “a lot of hopes and dreams” and blamed what it described as the “callous and criminal conduct” of certain persons for the tragedy. The multi-storey building in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed on September 6 while repair work was underway. It housed a boys’ paying-guest accommodation. Seven people were killed and several others injured. The incident subsequently triggered scrutiny of unauthorised construction, paying-guest facilities and building safety across the Capital.

Hostel shortage flagged

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the court that authorities had taken several measures following the collapse, including proactive mapping and earmarking land and other facilities for students. The bench, however, pointed out that the shortage of hostel facilities in Delhi was not a recent problem and questioned why adequate arrangements had not been made despite the large number of students arriving in the city every year. “Who doesn't know the problem of hostels in the city? Students are flocking to Delhi for higher education, and this is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening for the last 20-25 years in the hope that they will build their career. See what has happened,” the bench remarked.

PIL seeks probe

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Aakarshak Danveer Rathi seeking an independent investigation into the Satya Niketan collapse, inspections of paying-guest accommodations across the city and a compensation and rehabilitation scheme for victims and their families. The bench said the PIL would be taken up along with another pending petition on September 25.

MCD inquiry ordered

A day after the collapse, the High Court had ordered a high-level inquiry by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and made it clear that the government could not evade responsibility for the incident. The court had raised concerns over inadequate housing and hostel facilities for students, including those provided by Delhi University and the government, as well as the safety and security of young people living in private accommodation. It had also questioned whether measures adopted by the MCD and other authorities to regulate PG facilities were adequate.