New Delhi: A letter issued by the Delhi Police nearly three months before the deadly building collapse in Satya Niketan has brought renewed attention to safety concerns in the area. The letter, sent to the Mehrauli Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), had reportedly warned about fire safety risks in paying guest accommodations and cafes and urged prompt action.
The warning followed an investigation into a devastating fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hauz Rani that claimed 23 lives. On June 17, around two weeks after the fire, the Station House Officer of South Campus police station wrote to the Mehrauli SDM, highlighting safety concerns in Satya Niketan.
The development has come to light after a multi-storey hostel building collapsed in Satya Niketan on September 6, killing seven people, including five Delhi University students.
Letter Raised Concerns Over PGs and Cafes
The police communication reportedly stated that several paying guest accommodations and cafes in Satya Niketan were operating without fire safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and essential fire protection measures.
The letter called for inspections by the concerned authorities to address the issues. The police also offered assistance during the inspection process, while urging early action in the interest of public safety, sanitation, fire safety and law and order.
A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed that the letter had been sent. However, the officer described it as a routine communication and clarified that it was not specifically related to the building that later collapsed.
SDM Says Letter Was Not Received
Mehrauli SDM Rahul Rathore denied receiving the letter from Delhi Police. He said he had not received any such communication, while suggesting that it might have reached the office and subsequently been forwarded to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which was responsible for taking action.
The MCD has not responded to questions regarding the letter.
Following the Hauz Rani fire, the government had formed 13 district-level committees comprising officials from the MCD and other government agencies to conduct inspections and take action on safety violations.
Satya Niketan PG Reportedly Had No Fire NOC
Investigations revealed that the paying guest accommodation involved in the Satya Niketan tragedy did not have a fire NOC. Officials said an initial survey conducted after the collapse identified at least 20 multi-storey buildings in Satya Niketan and Moti Bagh that required fire clearance but had not even applied for it.
Most of these buildings were reportedly being used to accommodate students. Officials said only three restaurants in the area had received clearance from the Delhi Fire Service.
Under Delhi Fire Service rules, buildings exceeding 17.5 metres in height, restaurants with seating capacity for more than 50 people and certain other commercial establishments require fire NOCs. Experts have pointed out that the absence of fire clearance may also indicate violations of other applicable regulations.
Structural Deficiencies Found in Collapsed Building
The investigation into the collapse has revealed several structural deficiencies. The MCD, however, has maintained that its records did not contain a case relating to illegal construction against the building.
According to the police FIR, the building owner and his brother allegedly added four illegal floors to the nearly 50-year-old structure for financial gain, despite allegedly knowing that the additional load could affect the building’s foundation.
Investigators also found that a ground-floor wall was removed on the day of the incident to create space for a shop. Officials said no permission had been obtained for the demolition.
Wall Removal Preceded Collapse
A senior police officer said the labour contractor hired by Mahesh Gupta, the building owner’s son, told investigators that a plumber had visited the site around 90 minutes before the collapse and advised against breaking the wall.
According to the officer, contractor Sanoj Kumar allegedly told the plumber that the owner had instructed him to remove the wall and that he had to carry out the work. The wall was subsequently demolished, after which the building collapsed, trapping students and labourers beneath the debris.
The tragedy claimed the lives of five Delhi University students and two workers. Rescue operations continued for around 28 hours, during which 12 people were safely evacuated.
Five Arrested in Collapse Case
Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident. They include building owner Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila, their son Mahesh Gupta, labour contractor Sanoj Kumar and Sudhanshu Lavanish.
Sudhanshu had reportedly rented the building from the Gupta family along with Shubham Tyagi to operate a paying guest accommodation. A Delhi court on Thursday rejected Tyagi’s anticipatory bail plea.
Investigators said Sudhanshu told them that he had called Mahesh around six or seven days before the collapse to ask about construction work. Mahesh allegedly told him that minor work was being carried out. Sudhanshu reportedly objected to plans for commercial activity on the ground floor, but Mahesh allegedly said they would discuss the matter when he had time.
Delhi Government Plans Policy for PG Accommodations
Following the September 6 building collapse, the Delhi government directed the MCD to conduct inspections across the capital and take action against unauthorised construction. Several buildings were demolished during the drive, and some officials were suspended.
The government has also announced plans to formulate a comprehensive policy within two months to regulate paying guest accommodations in Delhi.
The resurfacing of the police letter has raised questions over whether timely coordination and enforcement could have prevented the tragedy. The investigation into the collapse and accountability for the alleged violations remains ongoing.
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