Delhi building collapse kills 7; HC questions authorities on illegal structures

A building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday killed seven people and exposed widespread illegal construction and a deteriorating private hostel system in the capital. The Delhi High Court has sought explanations from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi government on why dangerous structures remain unsecured.

Two adjacent buildings (numbered 12 and 13) near the collapsed structure have also been declared dangerous by the MCD and issued three-day notices. Currently shored up with iron supports, the court questioned whether authorities only recognized the threat after the tragedy.

Satya Niketan, a major student hub near Delhi University's South Campus, has only two out of seven major colleges offering hostel facilities. With insufficient institutional housing, thousands of students depend on private paying guests and hostels. An estimated 200+ such accommodations operate in the area, housing 8,000-10,000 students.