After the death of 7 people due to the collapse of a multi-storey hostel in Satya Niketan, serious questions are now being raised regarding the security arrangements. Delhi Police has claimed that it had warned the administration about the safety hazards in the buildings of the area, especially the possibility of fire, about 3 months before the accident. Despite this, timely action was not taken on the police warning. Last Sunday, a multi-storey hostel had collapsed in Satya Niketan area. Seven people, including five students, died in the accident. It is being told that the police had already expressed concern about the condition of the buildings in the area and the safety of the people living there.
Sent letter to SDM on June 17
Nearly two weeks after the Hauz Rani fire, on June 17, the SHO of South Campus police station had sent a letter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mehrauli. In the letter, citing concerns related to public safety in Satya Niketan area, it was advised to take necessary action as soon as possible. The police had also put the sensitivity of the area before the administration. There are about 13 colleges around Satya Niketan and a large number of students live here. In such a situation, there is a risk of a major accident due to students living in buildings that are unsafe or not built as per the standards.
Letter sent after Hauz Rani fire
This warning came during the investigation into the fire incident at a 'bed and breakfast' in Hauz Rani area. 23 people died in this accident. About two weeks after the incident, on June 17, the SHO of South Campus police station sent a letter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mehrauli. A senior police officer confirmed the sending of the letter and described it as a routine letter. However, he clarified that the letter was not in relation to that particular building, which later collapsed.
No fire safety NOC in many PGs and cafes
However, serious concerns were raised in the letter regarding the security arrangements of Satya Niketan area. According to the letter, many paying guest (PG) accommodation and cafes in the area were operating without fire safety no-objection certificates (NOC) and necessary fire safety measures. In the letter, it was said that an inspection should be conducted by the concerned department to remove these shortcomings. During such inspection, necessary cooperation was also offered by Delhi Police. Not only fire safety, but also issues related to public safety, cleanliness and law and order were mentioned in the police letter. At the end of the letter, the concerned authorities were requested to take action in the matter as soon as possible.
SDM denied receiving the letter
Mehrauli SDM Rahul Rathod has denied receiving the letter sent by Delhi Police. He said that his office did not receive any such letter. However, he expressed the possibility that the letter may have come to the office and been sent to the Delhi Municipal Corporation for further action, as it was the Corporation's responsibility to take action in the matter. Questions were also asked to the Delhi Municipal Corporation regarding this letter, but no reply was given by the Corporation.
13 district level committees were formed after the Hauz Rani fire.
The issue of security concerns in Satya Niketan came to light after the fire incident in Hauz Rani. 23 people died in a fire in a 'bed and breakfast' in Hauz Rani. After the incident, the government had formed 13 district-level committees for inspection and action. These committees included officials from various government agencies including Delhi Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile, on June 17, the SHO of South Campus police station had sent a letter to the SDM of Mehrauli requesting immediate action on the issues related to public safety in Satya Niketan. The letter mentioned the operation of several PGs and cafes in the area without fire safety NOC and necessary fire safety measures.
Fire NOC not found in 20 more buildings after the accident
The initial survey conducted after the hostel accident in Satya Niketan revealed the situation of security arrangements to be even more worrying. According to officials, at least 20 such multi-storey buildings were found in Satya Niketan and Moti Bagh areas, which needed fire NOC, but had never applied for it. Most of these buildings are being used for student accommodation. According to officials, only three restaurants were found in the area which had approval from Delhi Fire Service (DFS).
For which buildings is fire NOC necessary?
According to Delhi Fire Service rules, it is necessary to obtain Fire NOC for buildings more than 17.5 meters high, restaurants with a seating capacity of more than 50 people and some other commercial establishments. According to experts, lack of fire safety approval for a building cannot be limited to mere violation of fire safety rules. In many cases, it may also be related to violation of building construction, usage and other safety standards.
Allegation of increasing four floors in about 50 years old building
According to the information revealed after the building collapse, there were many structural deficiencies in the building. However, MCD says that it has not found any record related to illegal construction against this building. At the same time, it has been alleged in the police FIR that due to greed, the owner of the building and his brother had constructed four illegal floors in the nearly 50-year-old building. According to the police, they were aware that additional construction could increase the load on the building and affect its foundation.
Removal of wall for shop became the final reason for the accident
According to the investigating officers, on the day of the accident, a wall was being removed to make space for a shop on the ground floor. Officials say that the removal of this wall was the immediate cause of the building collapse. No permission was taken for this work. According to a senior police officer, the labor contractor employed by Mahesh Gupta, son of the building owner, told investigators that a plumber had come to the spot about an hour and a half before the incident. He advised not to break the wall. According to the officer, contractor Sanoj Kumar told the plumber that he had to do this work on the instructions of the owner. After this the wall was broken and within some time the entire building collapsed. Students and laborers were buried under the debris.
Seven people died, 12 were rescued
Five DU students and two laborers died in the accident. During the relief and rescue operation that lasted for about 28 hours, 12 people were rescued safely. Five people have been arrested so far as part of the investigation into the case. These include building owner Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila, his son Mahesh Gupta, labor contractor Sanoj Kumar and Sudhanshu Lavneesh. Sudhanshu, along with Shubham Tyagi, had rented this building from the Gupta family to run a PG.
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