The Delhi Police on Tuesday denied reports that mobile phone jammers had been installed at the Satya Niketan building collapse rescue site, saying mobile networks were functioning normally.
In a post on X, the police described the claims about the deployment of jammers as "completely false". It said rescue agencies at the site were using mobile phones to coordinate their operations without facing any disruption.
Rescue agencies using mobile networks
The police said personnel from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire department were communicating seamlessly through mobile networks during the rescue operation.
Deep Dive
Why did the Delhi Police deny claims about mobile jammers at the Satya Niketan building collapse site?
What are the concerns raised regarding student accommodations like the one at Satya Niketan after the building collapse?
How is the Supreme Court addressing the issue of illegal constructions following the Satya Niketan incident?
It also pointed out that media personnel and citizens at the site had been able to broadcast live without any interruption to mobile connectivity.
Claims circulated on social media
The clarification came after claims circulated on social media alleging that mobile jammers had been deployed at the site.
{{/usCountry}}The clarification came after claims circulated on social media alleging that mobile jammers had been deployed at the site.
{{/usCountry}}The multi-storey building, which housed a boys' paying guest facility, collapsed on Sunday, killing seven people.
Building collapse in Satya Niketan
The collapse of a building, which was a paying guest accommodation for college students, has sent shockwaves across the capital. At least seven people have died and several have been injured due to the building collapse in Satya Niketan.
Police officials stated in a statement on Monday night that the rescue operations have ended with a total of 12 people rescued.
The owner of the PG, 81-year-old Hariram Gupta, was held by police from Rajasthan's Bhiwadi on Monday, and later sent to 14-day judicial custody by a Patiala court.
Along with Hariam, his wife Urmila Gupta, aged 75 years and son Mahesh Gupta, aged 52 years were also apprehended and arrested in the case.
Furthermore, the Delhi High Court took up an urgent PIL filed in relation to the building collapse and sought accountability from government officials.
The HC's demand also comes after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended five officials from the South Zone, which includes deputy commissioner Rakesh Gupta, in relation to the building collapse.
Students vacate Satya Niketan as MCD closes down on unsafe buildings
Following the building collapse, many students were seen walking through the narrow lanes, dragging their suitcases along, as they moved out of their accommodations in fear.
The 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 told HT.