Satya Niketan building collapse: Police arrest PG operator

Delhi Police officers stand with Paying Guest (PG) operator Sudhanshu, second from right, and laborer Sanoj after their arrest in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse case in New Delhi. Photo: Special arrangement

An investigation into the September 6 collapse of a five-storey Paying Guest (PG) building at Satya Niketan in southwest Delhi has led to the arrest of Sudhanshu, one of the operators of the PG accommodation, officials said on Wednesday (9 Sep 2026).

The building collapse, which occurred on Sunday (September 6, 2026) afternoon, killed seven people and injured five others.

Police are investigating the role of the building’s tenants and the construction and repair work that is taking place in the basement and ground floor, according to officials.

The building housed PG accommodation operated under the name ‘Hostel Daze’ PG, which also has other branches in the same area. Students in the area said the building was defunct for several years before it was leased out last year to Mr. Sudhanshu and two others who managed and ran the day-to-day functioning of the PG.

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After sealing the MCD, the nearby hostels and PGs are evacuated and the building adjacent to the collapsed building is demolished for security reasons.

Police on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) also arrested a labor contractor named Sanoj in a case from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday (September 7, 2026), a Delhi court sent two other accused, Hariram, a former IAF sergeant, and his wife Urmila, to 14-day judicial custody, while their son Mahesh was remanded in police custody for two days.

On Wednesday (09/09/2026) he was brought to court as police custody ended.

According to the police, the property was registered in the name of Ms. Urmila, with Mr. Hariram and Mr. Mahesh involved in its management. The investigation examines the alleged unauthorized construction and the circumstances of the renovation work.

During the investigation, Mr. Mahesh said that he used to manage the maintenance of the building on behalf of his parents, officials said. Mr. Mahesh and Mr. Hariram let the building to PG Operators ‘Hostel Daze’ in August 2025.

The basement floor was being repaired and garbage had been accumulating during the rainy season for at least 10 days before the incident, police said. The ground floor was being renovated for an extension for commercial purposes. On the day of the incident, the family learned about the collapse from locals and fled their house to their in-laws’ house in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has suspended five officials following the collapse. The Delhi High Court has ordered authorities to check PG accommodation across the city, including their building permits and compliance with building codes, putting the municipal watchdog under scrutiny.

An investigation is ongoing to determine whether unauthorized construction, remedial work or non-compliance contributed to the collapse.

Published – 09 Sep 2026 12:58 IST