Delhi HC orders citywide PG hostel inspection after Satya Niketan collapse kills 7
The Delhi High Court has issued directions for a citywide inspection of PG hostels and an inquiry into regulatory lapses following the collapse of two buildings operated as boys' hostels at Satya Niketan, New Delhi. The incident resulted in at least 7 deaths among approximately 50 students housed in the structures.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia expressed serious concern over inadequate hostel facilities for out-station students and the safety measures adopted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other authorities. The Court directed a comprehensive examination of the regulatory framework governing PG hostels, availability of university/government hostels, legality of the collapsed buildings, and accountability of officials responsible for regulatory lapses.
The Solicitor General assured the Court that authorities would prioritize rescue operations. However, the Court noted that Delhi University does not provide adequate hostel facilities for students from outside Delhi, requiring a deeper regulatory approach from authorities.
