Delhi building collapse: Owner knew base was weak, built 4 additional floors, say cops
Delhi police have apprehended a labor contractor following the collapse of a student hostel in Satya Niketan that killed seven people. Investigations reveal the building owners illegally added four floors to a weak foundation to increase rental income.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical issues regarding urban safety, illegal construction, and regulatory oversight in rapidly growing cities.
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police Tuesday apprehended the labour contractor who was supervising ongoing construction at Satya Niketan student hostel which collapsed Sunday, killing seven people. Sanoj was apprehended from Kasganj, UP, and was brought to Delhi.The FIR registered in the case states that building owner Hariram Gupta and his brother, to earn more rental income, constructed four additional floors on top of the old structure despite being aware that the foundation was not capable of bearing the weight.During interrogation, Mahesh Gupta, who was managing the accommodation on behalf of his parents Hariram and Urmila, said the building was given to PG operator ‘Hostel Daze’ on lease in Aug 2025. Two shops on the ground floor were being merged and expanded into one, police confirmed.Sources said a load-bearing wall was allegedly removed during the construction, which may have compromised the stability of the building, eventually leading to the collapse.
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