Delhi building collapse LIVE: Building next to Satya Niketan PG to be demolished tomorrow, says CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Students and volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS) at Maitreyi College stepped in to provide food and essential supplies to rescue personnel, evacuated students and others involved in relief operations following the building collapse in southwest Delhi's Satya Niketan.

The volunteers distributed biscuits, snacks, juice and drinking water to personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies working at the site, besides students who were evacuated from nearby buildings.

They also appealed for donations of sanitary pads, clean clothes, medicines and other essential supplies, which they said would be distributed among students and others affected by the incident.

"We saw that there were students who had been evacuated and people working at the site for hours, so we wanted to help in whatever way we could. We have also started collecting donations of sanitary pads, clothes, medicines and other essentials, and will distribute them to those who need them," said Neha, a third-year student at Maitreyi College.

The relief effort came as the death toll in the building collapse rose to seven on Monday, with search and rescue operations continuing for a second day. (PTI)

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday called for safe and affordable accommodation for students in cities, in the wake of the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi that claimed seven lives and raised questions over construction and safety compliance.

Sood said lakhs of students leave their homes every year to pursue their dreams in another city, but stressed the need to ensure that they have safe places to live.

“Every year, lakhs of students leave their homes to chase a dream in another city. But are we giving them a safe place to live?” Sood said in a post.

He pointed out that around seven lakh students are enrolled in Delhi, while hostel capacity is barely 30,000, meaning only around one in 31 students gets access to a hostel.

“In Delhi, around 7 lakh students are enrolled, while hostel capacity is barely 30,000 -- just 1 in 31 gets a hostel. Why not identify vacant government land around universities and allow/build safe, affordable student hostels there? Universities could also be given additional building permissions to create more on-campus accommodation,” he added.

Sood suggested identifying vacant government land around universities and allowing or building safe and affordable student hostels on such land. He also proposed giving universities additional building permissions to create more on-campus accommodation.

“Students get safety. Parents get peace of mind. Universities and governments generate revenue. And, most importantly, we protect lives. Sometimes, a small change in policy can protect someone’s biggest dream,” he shared.
(ANI)

Delhi building collapse LIVE: The Delhi Police on Tuesday rejected claims that mobile phone jammers had been deployed at the Satya Niketan building collapse rescue site, saying networks are fully operational and rescue agencies were communicating through mobile phones without any disruption.

In a post on X, the police described the claims about jammers as "completely false" and said personnel of the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire department were coordinating seamlessly through mobile communication.

The police also said media personnel and citizens at the site were broadcasting live without any disruption to mobile connectivity.

The clarification came amid claims circulating on social media alleging that mobile jammers had been installed at the site, where a multi-storey building housing a boys' paying guest facility collapsed on Sunday, killing seven people.

(PTI)

Delhi building collapse LIVE: The Supreme Court said it will take up issues related to the Satya Niketan building collapse on September 10 and may transfer the case from the Delhi High Court, if required, news agency PTI reported.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: The building in Delhi's Satya Niketan had just collapsed. As dust choked the air and cries rose from beneath the rubble, a handful of students rushed to pull the debris with their bare hands, desperately trying to reach those trapped underneath. Just metres away, others stood still, cameras pointed at the wreckage.

In those first, frantic minutes, the divide was stark -- seven or eight people were trying to rescue, while dozens watched.

Witnesses recalled that there were 50 to 60 people at the spot when the building collapsed, with more than three-fourths having seen it happen. Yet, in those crucial initial minutes, only a handful stepped in, while others remained on the periphery -- watching and filming.

"We were trying to pull out the first person we could see. There was just one person trying to get him out and we needed more hands. You could see people standing around us with their phones. It was difficult to understand why someone would come so close to the site and still choose to record instead of helping," said Rohan, a Delhi University student who witnessed the collapse.
(PTI)

Delhi building collapse LIVE: The Communist Party of India MP P Sandosh has sought a high-level probe into the Satya Niketan building collapse.

Alleging an “unholy nexus” between political party leaders and officials behind the building collapse, Sandosh said the collapse was “shocking” and questioned how the dilapidated structure was allowed to operate as a hostel despite its condition.

“The Satya Niketan building collapse was really shocking. I was there with my comrades. The real reason for this catastrophe is corruption and the unholy nexus between certain political party leaders and so-called officers,” Sandosh told ANI.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Delhi police has refuted reports of network jammers installed at the site of the building collapse in Satya Niketan.

"Networks are fully operational. Delhi Police, NDRF, & Fire teams are coordinating seamlessly via mobile. Media and citizens are broadcasting live from the site with no disruption," the police wrote in a statement on X.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the NCT government will bear the full cost of the treatment for the Satya Niketan building collapse victims.

“She visited AIIMS and met with the students injured in the Satya Niketan accident, and inquired about the status of their treatment. She also conversed with their family members and reassured them that the doctors at AIIMS are providing the best possible treatment to all the injured. The government will bear the full cost of treatment for all the students injured in the accident and will provide them every possible assistance,” read a statement issued by the chief minister's office.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: The Delhi high court on Tuesday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking hostel facilities for Delhi University students,

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the lawyer why time was being wasted unnecessarily and said the petition should be filed for auto-listing on Wednesday.

The court added that a direction for hostel facilities cannot be issued in the interim and said that it has already heard and passed an order in another PIL on Monday on the same issue. The matter will now be heard tomorrow.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Chief minister Rekha Gupta has stated that the building next to the collapsed PG in Satya Niketan is unsafe and will be demolished tomorrow.

“The families who lost their children have already taken the bodies and left Delhi; the government made all the necessary arrangements, and we remain in touch with all the parents. There is a building right next door—that building is dangerous; it has been declared unsafe. It is scheduled to be demolished tomorrow,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday visited AIIMS hospital to meet those injured in the Satya Niketan building collapse. The chief minister added that the NCT government would provide the best possible medical care and financial assistance to the families of the victims.

"I have met the injured children. 12 people were brought out in an injured state; seven of them were found dead. Two of those seven were labourers. One labourer is admitted here and is currently doing well; he has a severe leg injury that is being treated," Gupta said.

"I have also met the parents; considering the situation, we have assured them that the best possible medical care will be provided and that the government will offer full support and assistance. We will also provide financial aid to the families of these children and labourers," she added.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: Following the collapse and arrest of three people, Delhi Police are now on the search for the contractor who was involved for the repairs of the basement of the PG building.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, PTI reporters that cops are searching for the contractor who was undertaking the repair work in the basement for seepage. Police are also examining whether the repair work contributed to the structural changes and eventual collapse of the building in Satya Niketan.

Delhi Satya Niketan building collapse: Before the collapse of a PG building in Satya Niketan, Delhi Police have stated that construction work was underway in the basement.

"During the enquiry, Hariram Gupta stated that he was getting a few renovations done in the basement of the building. The injured labourer also confirmed construction activities were being carried out in the basement of the building," Additional DCP Abhimanyu Poswal told ANI.

Delhi Satya Niketan building collapse news: The family of 18-year-old Arpit Jai, who died in the Satya Niketan PG building collapse, decided to donate his corneas, giving someone the gift of sight amid the tragedy. Read full report here

Satya Niketan building collapse LIVE: Body of Pawan Kumar, who died in Delhi Satya Niketan building collapse incident, has been brought to his house in Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya.

Pawan's friend Guruvansh, said, "The entire five-storey building in which Pawan lived in Satya Niketan collapsed due to digging work in basement. Everyone is at fault in this. The government is also responsible, as are the people living there who did not report it, the MCD, and the owner of the building. Everyone is responsible for what happened."

(Via PTI)

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: Following the arrest of the PG owner and his family, the FIR filed by the police states that illegal construction triggered the building's collapse.

The FIR added that Gupta and his brother constructed four illegal floors in a nearly 50-year-old structure despite knowing that the building’s foundation could give way under the additional load.

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: An 18-year-old college student from Madhya Pradesh's Katni, Akshat, lost his life in the Satya Niketan building collapse.

As per reports, his mortal remains have been brought to his residence in Katni for the last rites.

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: Aam Aadmi Party Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj slammed the authorities for the "slow" pace of rescue operations at the Satya Niketan building collapse site, alleging that students were being deployed to lift bricks and stones while municipal labourers were nowhere to be found.

“Work was proceeding very slowly; I was present at the site. Students were being deployed to lift bricks and stones. Where did the MCD labourers go? Has the MCD department ceased to exist? This entire display of negligence is happening solely to delay news regarding the children trapped underneath. There is no empathy within the government,” Bhardwaj told ANI.

The AAP leader also criticised the visit of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to the site.

“The Chief Minister's frequent visits with a massive entourage disrupt the work being done there. She should not view the site merely as an opportunity to shoot reels. Ashish Sood, the Minister for the Urban Development Department, which oversees the MCD, has not been seen since yesterday. He was certainly informed about the situation,” he alleged.

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: Delhi's Patiala court on Monday sent a married couple arrested in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse, which claimed seven lives, to 14 days of judicial custody, while their son was remanded to two days' police custody.

Hariram Gupta, 81, and his wife, Urmila Gupta, 75, were sent to 14 days of judicial custody, while their 52-year-old son Mahesh Gupta was remanded to two days' police custody after they were produced at the judge's house.

According to police, Gupta had the building's electricity connection in his name, while his son handled its day-to-day management.

The property was registered in the name of Urmila Gupta, documents revealed.

The family is being probed for its role in running the PG accommodation and the renovation being carried out in the basement – a likely cause of the building's collapse.

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: An uneasiness lay over the area in Satya Niketan on Monday where a building collapsed a day earlier. The incident has caused fear among residents and locals about the structural integrity of other buildings in the area.

Many students could be seen walking through the narrow lanes, dragging their suitcases along, as they moved out of their accommodations in fear.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also began issuing demolition notices to dangerous buildings around the site.

A senior MCD official said a building adjacent to the collapsed structure was “barely standing”, while three others were being examined. “We found that building number 13 is barely standing. It had been evacuated yesterday. The demolition drive will be carried out once the rescue operation is over,” the official said.

Delhi building collapse LIVE updates: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP government over the building collapse in Satya Niketan.

Taking to X, the Congress MP alleged authorities act only after tragedies occur instead of taking preventive measures.

Citing recent incidents in Saidulajab and Hauz Rani, Gandhi also accused the government of failing to ensure accountability.

"Every time, the BJP government follows the same shameful pattern—no prevention before accidents, just grandstanding after them, pinning blame on a few low-level officers, while the real culprits remain unaccountable," Gandhi wrote.

"The collapse of the building packed with students at Satya Niketan is no isolated tragedy. In the last 4 months, 6 people died in a similar disaster in Saidulajab, and a fire in Hauz Rani claimed 22 lives. Every time, lives, dreams, and aspirations get buried under rubble—and every time, any real action is nowhere to be found," he added further.

Gandhi also alleged that those demanding accountability are targeted with "insulting labels" and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to "shame, defame, and silence" those who raise questions.

Delhi building collapse LIVE: National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president Vinod Jakhar has alleged that the deaht toll from the Satya Niketan building collapse was much hgiher than reported.

“When we visited the university hospital, there were 11 bodies there. How can the government claim that only seven deaths occurred? It is a lie; the government is concealing the truth,” Jakhar said, as per news agency ANI.

The NSUI chief also demanded an investigation into the incident and accountability for those responsible, while questioning the availability of hostel facilities for students at Delhi University.

“Who is behind this? Action must be taken against those responsible. Why hasn't Delhi University built a single hostel in the last ten years? Who promotes these PGs? Who is shielding them? Accountability must be fixed,” he added.