Absconding Satya Niketan PG owner Hariram Gupta held in Rajasthan, day after building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan.

Updated on: Sep 7, 2026, 14:33:12 IST

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Absconding Delhi PG owner Hariram Gupta was held in Rajasthan on Monday, a day after a decades-old multi-storey building collapsed in the Satya Niketan area, killing at least seven people and injuring several others.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the area to assess the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Officials said 12 people have so far been rescued from the debris, including seven who died in the incident. Gupta had also visited the site on Sunday and returned on Monday with senior Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials to review the operation.

Five-floor buildings ordered to be sealed

Following the collapse, Gupta directed authorities to seal all buildings in Delhi that have five floors.

"Strict action will be taken against MCD officials found responsible. Instructions have been issued to immediately seal buildings in Delhi having a fifth floor," she said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said water had accumulated in the basement of the Satya Niketan building and contributed to its collapse.

"Approximately 80 per cent of the debris has been cleared, with only the basement debris remaining. Water had accumulated in the basement, and the combination of this with ongoing repair work on the old structure led to the collapse," she said.

Injured receiving treatment

Gupta said the injured children were being provided proper medical care, while their parents were being kept informed about their condition.

"The situation is being closely monitored by Health Minister J P Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and the prime minister," she added.

She also announced that the building next to the collapsed structure would be demolished.

"Residents of the collapsed building and adjacent unsafe buildings have been evacuated. The standing building, which appears extremely dangerous, will be demolished once the debris is cleared," Gupta said.

Structural audits planned

The chief minister said structural audits would be carried out on buildings of this nature and that action would be taken against those found responsible.

"A policy is also being drafted requiring owners of old buildings to submit structural audit reports and certify their safety before operating paying guest (PG) services, nursing homes, schools or other commercial establishments. Officials found responsible for negligence will also face immediate action," she said.

Magisterial probe ordered

The Delhi government had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse on Sunday. It also directed that an FIR be registered against the building owner.

"Following an on-site review and based on the preliminary assessment, the chief minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and FIR against the building owner," the Delhi CMO had said in a post on X.

Gupta also visited the injured at AIIMS and said those responsible would face strict punishment. Her office said the government was in contact with the families of the injured students and was providing them with necessary support.

Rescue operation continues

The building, which housed a boys' paying guest accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was underway.

Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force and Delhi Disaster Management Authority were among the agencies involved in rescue operations through the night.

Residents said most students living in the area were from Keralam, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. They mainly studied at Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College and Sri Venkateswara College, located across the road.

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