The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a high-level inquiry into the collapse of a paying guest facility at Satya Niketan that killed seven people and left several others injured.
Terming the incident “most unfortunate,” the court said not only the building owners but also the MCD and Delhi University were responsible for the tragedy.
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked authorities to double up the efforts in the rescue operations so that human lives can be saved.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police and the MCD in the matter, assured the court that all possible steps are being taken to rescue those trapped under the debris.
He said the government is actively monitoring the situation and some time is needed.
Mehta assured the court that the authorities will take all decisions in the interest of everyone concerned and that no stone will be left unturned.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter relating to the building collapse.
It asked the authorities to file their separate replies to the petition within 10 days and listed the matter for further hearing on September 25.
The plea was mentioned for an urgent hearing and the court allowed it to be listed on Monday itself.
The building at Satya Niketan, which housed a boys' paying-guest accommodation near Delhi University's (DU) South Campus, collapsed on Sunday while repair work was underway.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said a total of 12 people were brought to the hospital, of whom three -- Asgar Ali, 30, Neeraj Bawa, 19, and Aditya Kumar, 19 -- were in critical condition. The hospital said the identities of those killed were yet to be ascertained.
The Delhi Police has registered a case against building owner Hariram and others at the South Campus Police Station. They have been booked on charges including culpable homicide, negligence in the upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.
An officer said, "Hariram has been apprehended from Bhiwadi. Further examination is ongoing in connection with the case." A lookout notice was issued against him by the Delhi Police.
The MCD suspended South zone deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar and four engineers pending disciplinary proceedings.