Satya Niketan building collapse: Magisterial inquiry ordered, FIR registered against owner

Following an on-site review and a preliminary assessment of the Satya Niketan building collapse, the Delhi Chief Minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and directed that an FIR be registered against the building owner.

The government said those found responsible for the incident will be held fully accountable and face strict action under the law.



A nearly 50-year-old five-storey building housing a boys' hostel in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed on Sunday afternoon, killing five people, police said. Four others are undergoing treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, with one of the injured having undergone limb surgery.

The building, known as 'Hostel Daze', comprised a basement and five upper floors and was being used as a paying guest (PG) accommodation. Repair work was underway in the basement when the structure collapsed at around 1:30 pm, a senior police officer said.

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Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising around 70 personnel and a canine squad, have been deployed for the rescue operation. An NDRF officer said oxygen cylinders were dropped under the rubble to help those trapped breathe.

Fire tenders and police teams have also been deployed at the site. The fire department received an alert around 1:30 pm, following which eight fire tenders and police teams were rushed to the area. Paramilitary personnel were deployed to ensure the unobstructed movement of ambulances.

While locals estimated that 40-50 people could still be trapped under the debris, Delhi Police said the exact number of people trapped or injured was not known.

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The densely populated area has narrow lanes lined with eateries and PG accommodations, largely catering to students. Residents joined rescue personnel in searching for people trapped under the debris, using their hands and tools to clear the rubble.

Rescue operations continued as authorities worked to determine the extent of the casualties and locate any survivors beneath the collapsed structure.