Delhi building collapse death toll up to 7; HC orders a city-wide inspection of PGs and draws attention to problems with student accommodation

A rescue operation is underway after a building collapsed near Satya Niketan in New Delhi on September 6, 2026. Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The death toll in the collapse of a building housing students in the Satya Niketan area rose to seven on Monday, even as the Delhi High Court expressed deep concern over the safety of students living in similar Paying Guest (PG) hostels across the capital and ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction within a week.

Delhi police arrested Hariram Gupta, 82, a retired Indian Air Force sergeant, his wife Urmila Gupta, 75, and their son Mahesh Gupta, 52. While the property was registered in Mrs Gupta’s name, the PG for men was allegedly run by her husband and the sun, police said. A search is underway for the operators of the PG and the contractors who carried out repairs in the basement of the building. “Their role will also be probed in the case and action will be taken accordingly,” said Amit Goel, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South West.

Five officials of the MCD, the civic body responsible for issuing PG licenses and enforcing building norms, have been suspended. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government is exploring a policy to manage buildings used for multiple purposes, including accommodation for PGs.

Delhi Building Collapse: Watch LIVE Updates on 7th August 2026

Lack of hostels

Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the death raised serious concerns over the safety of students living in PG accommodation and the acute shortage of hostel facilities for suburban students in Delhi. The deceased students hailed from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

The court directed the MCD to ascertain whether the PG buildings in its jurisdiction were constructed with valid permissions, were in compliance with building codes and whether there were any violations.

The Supreme Court said that the responsibility for the incident could not prima facie be limited to the owner of the property as the role of university authorities and MCD also required scrutiny. It directed the civic body to conduct an inspection at the highest executive level and fix the responsibility of civil servants if the collapsed building is found to have been constructed without permission.

Endangering students’ lives

“These PGs are not only very dangerous but also threaten the lives and safety of these students,” the Bench observed, stressing the need for more hostel capacity for students coming to Delhi from across the country.

The court directed Delhi University to provide details of the number of such non-home students enrolled in its affiliated colleges and the number and capacity of hostels run by the university or the government. She questioned the absence of adequate hostel facilities and said the shortage of students leaves little option but to rely on PG and private hostels. The court also sought details of all statutory provisions governing accommodation of PGs in Delhi, emphasizing the need for a regulatory framework.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the state government was actively monitoring the situation and that no stone would be left unturned in rescue operations.

The case will be heard further on September 25.

Three in critical condition

During the 28-hour rescue operation, at least 12 people were rushed to the AIIMS trauma center and three were taken to Safdarjung Hospital for treatment. Six dead were brought to AIIMS while one other person later succumbed to his injuries. At least three are said to be in critical condition, according to an official statement from the hospital. One person admitted is stable and receiving treatment, while another person was released on Sunday itself. Three patients at Safdarjung Hospital were also stabilized.

Rescue work was declared complete at 5pm on Monday, with agencies saying the debris had been completely cleared from the site. The remains of the deceased have been handed over to family members, police said.

Published – 07 Sep 2026 23:05 IST