The Delhi High Court has attributed the five-storey building collapse in Satya Niketan, resulting in seven deaths, to callous and criminal conduct. The court also pointed out that the students who lost their lives were natives of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh enrolled in colleges of Delhi University.
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court, presided by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Kari, emphasized that the students had come to Delhi with high hopes and dreams, only for them to be shattered by this tragic incident. The court further stated that students were 'flocking to Delhi for higher education' for 20 to 25 years in the hope of building their careers.
The High Court was hearing a public interest litigation concerning the building collapse and has listed the matter for September 25 for further hearings. The building, reportedly 40 to 50 years old, was undergoing repair work in the basement when it collapsed, allegedly due to being leased as paying guest accommodation despite the owners' knowledge that it could not support four additional floors.
The Indian Express reported that the building's owner, Hari Ram, his son Mahesh, his wife Urmila, and labor contractor Saroj have been arrested. Sudhanshu, who ran the 'Hostel Daze' paying guest accommodation in the building, has also been held. The police are investigating whether the operators of Hostel Daze had conducted due diligence to ensure the building's safety.
The court highlighted that five of the deceased students were natives of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh enrolled in colleges of Delhi University. The Indian Express article detailed why these students had come to Delhi, stating that they were 'all aged between 17 years and 19 years' and had 'Delhi with lots of hopes and dreams'.
Source:
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