The Municipal Corporation of Delhi began demolishing an unsafe structure adjoining the site of the Satya Niketan building collapse on Tuesday, days after the incident killed seven people.
The demolition targets the adjoining property, P-13 Satya Niketan, under an order issued on September 6 citing Section 348 read with Section 491 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.
The building’s owner has been arrested, five MCD officials suspended, and a contractor also held in connection with the collapse.
The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission on September 8 over the incident.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea on September 10 seeking a nationwide investigation into unsafe buildings, with the Amicus Curiae seeking a time-bound safety audit of PG accommodations and hostels near colleges across Delhi.
The Satya Niketan building collapse on September 6 killed seven people, with rescue operations by NDRF and Delhi Fire Services continuing through the following days.
The demolition order for the adjoining property, P-13 Satya Niketan, was issued on September 6 under Section 348 read with Section 491 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.
Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, appointed Amicus Curiae in the case, has sought court directions for a time-bound inspection and safety audit of PG accommodations and private hostels near colleges and universities across Delhi.
The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to both the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission on September 8 over the incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier ordered a case against the collapsed building’s owner and a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances of the collapse.
Satya Niketan is a densely packed neighbourhood near Delhi University’s South Campus, home to a large number of paying-guest accommodations and student hostels.
The Supreme Court’s scheduled hearing is expected to consider whether a nationwide investigation into unsafe buildings, particularly those used as student housing, is warranted.
MCD Civic Centre, New Delhi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
