No responsibility in Delhi Satya Niketan collapse, says Rahul Gandhi

LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference. File | Photo credit: PTI

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the BJP government of shirking responsibility for the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi that killed seven people and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying Mr Modi was labeling anyone who asked questions as “dimagi Naxal” and “naraaz phoopha”.

“There is no accountability,” Mr Gandhi said in a post on X, asking what explained the “helplessness” of the “triple engine” government in Delhi.

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

Inaction stemmed from a “lack of intent.” Mr Gandhi alleged that the government had followed a “shameful pattern” of failing to take any preventive measures before accidents, followed by self-aggrandizement and attempts to impose responsibility on junior officials after tragedies.

“The collapse of a building full of students at Satya Niketan is not an isolated tragedy,” he said, referring to six deaths in a building collapse in Saidulajab and 22 deaths in a fire in Hauz Rani in the past four months.

Those who demanded accountability were instead “shamed, vilified and silenced”.

The remarks came a day after a five-storey building housing fee-paying boys’ accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus collapsed while repairs were underway.

At a press conference, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, accompanied by NSUI president Vinod Jhakhar, stepped up the attack, calling the BJP’s “four engine government” in Delhi a “killing machine”.

Mr. Kumar pointed out that apart from the Union government and the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was also controlled by the BJP and a lieutenant governor with executive powers was appointed by the Centre.

He also questioned the Prime Minister’s absence from the site, pointing out that Mr. Modi had addressed students at Shri Ram College of Delhi University on Saturday. “Narendra Modi went to SRCC for his PR, so why didn’t he go to Satya Niketan?” Mr. Kumar asked.

Also read | CJP demands accountability for South Delhi hostel collapse; Dipke asks PM

“Dilapidated, Unauthorized”

Mr. Jhakhar said rescue teams and medical personnel were not present at the site when the building collapsed and alleged that several PG accommodation facilities around Delhi University’s North and South campuses were dilapidated and unauthorized.

The Congress demanded an inspection of all PG accommodation, construction of hostels in Delhi University, a bill to regulate rents for hostels and PGs, and compensation of at least ₹1 million for each bereaved family.

Party president Abhishek Dutt claimed that the repeal of Section 466(A) of the Municipal Corporation Act in Delhi through the Jan Vishwas Act has weakened prosecution against builders carrying out illegal or unsafe constructions.

He said the provision introduced in 1985 allows for FIR, imprisonment up to six months and fines. Its removal encouraged builders to illegally build and dig a basement.

Mr. Dutt also questioned the MCD’s structural safety surveys, saying that despite surveying nearly one billion buildings between 2023 and 2026, only 103 were declared unsafe.

Several buildings that later collapsed, including Satya Niketan, Mustafabad, Saket, Rohini and Karol Bagh, were reportedly not on the list of dangerous buildings.

Congress sought to reinstate Section 466(A), a new safety survey, publication of a list of unsafe buildings, and the firing, rather than suspension, of negligent officials.

Published – 07 Sep 2026 19:47 IST