Building collapse case in Delhi's Satya Niketan: Owner arrested, five MCD officers suspended

After the Satya Niketan accident in Delhi, on Monday the police arrested Hariram, the alleged owner of a five-storey building, from Bhiwadi.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has posted on Facebook that the owner of the building has been arrested.

The number of students who have died so far in the building collapse incident on Sunday has reached seven.

A PG hostel was running in a five-storey building. Administrative actions have also started after this incident.

After the accident, on Monday, five officers of Delhi Municipal Corporation South Zone were suspended with immediate effect.

News agencies ANI and PTI have quoted Delhi Police as saying that it has arrested the alleged owner of the building, Hariram, from Bhiwadi.

The names of the officers of South Zone of Delhi Municipal Corporation who have been suspended in this case are - Rakesh Kumar (Deputy Commissioner South Zone), Ranveer Singh (Superintendent Engineer South Zone), Lalit Kumar Goyal (Executive Engineer, South Zone), Sunil Chauhan (AE- Building, South Zone) Ashish Kumar (Junior Engineer- Building).

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has written about this action on Facebook. He wrote, "After the tragic incident at Satya Niketan, MCD's Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer have been suspended with immediate effect."

"The owner of the building has been arrested. Orders have been given to immediately seal those buildings across Delhi in which the fifth floor has been constructed without permission. Nearby PGs and buildings are also being closely inspected. Strict action, including sealing, will be taken in case of violation of rules."

"Delhi government has taken this matter very seriously. Whoever is found guilty or responsible will not be spared."

Delhi Mayor Parvesh Wahi has said on the decision of suspension that this decision has been taken after careful consideration and everyone is working with sensitivity.

After the collapse of the five-storey PG building, the search for people trapped under the debris continued throughout the night.

News agency ANI quoted AIIMS as saying that the death toll in the accident has now reached six.

According to AIIMS, ten people were brought to the trauma center, out of which five had already died. One seriously injured person later died.

Three people were undergoing treatment and one injured person was released from hospital with minor injuries.

The action of suspending the officers has been praised by the BJP government of Delhi.

On the decision of suspension, Delhi Government Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said that the Delhi Administration has taken the toughest action till date in which everyone from JE to Deputy Commissioner has been suspended.

"A clear message has been given that action will be taken against any kind of illegal activity, leniency and officers who do not want to follow the building rules."

Delhi BJP MLA Harish Khurana has said that "Our government has taken cognizance of the strictest steps that should be taken to ensure that such an incident does not happen again."

"Perhaps this is the first time that a DC has been suspended in this manner; in fact, five officers have been suspended. It has been decided in the legislature party meeting that such PGs are running anywhere in our area and if a fifth floor has been built, action should be taken with the DC, taking it into cognizance."

"Our priority at this time is that the children who have been injured get proper treatment. We regret the kind of politics that is being done on this."

On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has alleged that many big leaders have taken property in Satya Niketan of Delhi.

"We demand from CM Rekha Gupta that she should make it public as to whose property here is being turned into a PG mafia. The central government should build a hostel here and till the time the hostel is ready, the PG fees should be paid by the government."

Saurabh Bhardwaj said that so much happened with the students but where is the Education Minister Ashish Sood. He claimed, "Where is Ashish Sood, who is the education minister for students, he is in Goa. He had tweeted about the incident and then took a flight to Goa at four o'clock."