New Delhi, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Delhi court on Wednesday sent the son of the building owner, the paying guest (PG) operator and a labor contractor to two days of police custody in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse that claimed seven lives.
Judicial Magistrate Kautuk Bharadwaj passed the order after Delhi Police sought three days' custody of the three accused — Mahesh Gupta, PG operator Sudhanshu and contractor Sanoj.
Gupta was produced before the Patiala House Court after completing his earlier two-day police custody, while Sudhanshu and Sanoj were produced following their arrest on Tuesday.
The five-storey building, known as 'Hostel Daze', was being operated as a boys' PG accommodation and housed several students when it collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday, killing seven people.
Police had earlier arrested the building owner, 75-year-old Urmila, her 81-year-old retired husband Hariram and their 52-year-old son Mahesh Gupta.
Urmila and Hariram were sent to 14 days of judicial custody on Tuesday, while Gupta was remanded to two days of police custody.
During questioning, Gupta reportedly told investigators that he managed the building's maintenance on behalf of his parents. The family had leased the property to the 'Hostel Daze' PG operators in August 2025.
According to police, the building was registered in Urmila's name but was managed and operated by her husband and son. The electricity connection for two floors was also registered in Hariram's name.
Labor contractor Sanoj, who was overseeing repair work in the basement, was arrested from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh. Police said initial questioning indicated that repair work was being carried out because waste had accumulated in the basement during the rainy season over the previous eight to 10 days.
Investigators also said repair work was underway on the ground floor for an extension intended for commercial use.
The collapse has triggered wider scrutiny of construction and safety violations in the area, located near Delhi University's South Campus in Dhaula Kuan. Five civic officials responsible for checking illegal construction have already been suspended.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to demolish a dilapidated building adjoining the accident site in the interest of public safety.
Authorities are also systematically removing students' belongings from the collapsed building with assistance from Delhi Fire Service personnel.