NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has issued an immediate order for the sealing of all unauthorized fifth floors across the city, following a tragic building collapse in South Delhi's Satya Niketan area. The incident, which occurred on Sunday while repair work was underway at a multi-story building housing a boys' hostel, resulted in the deaths of seven individuals.
Chief Minister Gupta, speaking on Monday, emphasized the seriousness with which the Delhi government views the incident. She confirmed that thorough inspections of nearby paying guest accommodations and other buildings would also be conducted, with strict action, including sealing, promised for any violations found.
Officials Suspended, Owner Arrested
In the wake of the collapse, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken swift disciplinary action. Five officials from the civic body have been suspended with immediate effect, pending further proceedings. The suspended officials include South Zone Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer (Building) Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer (Building) Sunil Chauhan, and Junior Engineer (Building) Ashish Kumar.
Simultaneously, Delhi Police have apprehended the owner of the collapsed building, Hariram Gupta. He was located and arrested in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi area following an extensive search operation involving ten police teams. Authorities have stated that further examination in connection with the case is ongoing.
Building Collapse Details
The decades-old five-story structure collapsed around 1:30 PM on Sunday. Rescue and search operations continued into Monday as agencies worked to determine if any more individuals remained trapped under the debris. The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring accountability, stating that anyone found guilty or responsible for the tragedy would not be spared.