New Delhi: The investigation into the tragic collapse of a five-story PG facility in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan took a significant turn on Wednesday with the arrest of the facility’s operator. The collapse, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of seven people and has sparked a city-wide investigation into illegal construction and building safety.
Police confirmed that the accused, identified as Sudhanshu, is associated with the ‘Hostel Daze’ chain—a prominent provider of student accommodation in the area that operates at least seven other facilities. Sudhanshu had been overseeing the management of the property since it was converted for commercial use in August 2025.
According to senior police officials, Sudhanshu was responsible for maintaining the 16-bed facility, managing ongoing repair work, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 50-year-old structure. Crucially, investigators are scrutinizing the rental agreements he facilitated, which contained controversial clauses claiming that the PG owners were not responsible for any injury or death of tenants. These agreements also allegedly granted management the power to evict students at their discretion without cause.
Sudhanshu’s arrest marks the fifth in the case, following the earlier detention of the building owner, Hari Ram, his son Mahesh, his wife Urmila, and labour contractor Saroj. Preliminary investigations suggest the owners were aware that the half-century-old structure could not structurally support the weight of the four additional floors they had commissioned, yet they proceeded with the expansion to maximize rental capacity.
“The owners allegedly knew that the building wouldn’t be able to bear the weight of four additional floors, and yet, they decided to give the construction a go-ahead and lease it out to a PG company,” a senior police officer stated. Investigators are now working to determine whether the ‘Hostel Daze’ operator conducted any due diligence regarding the structural integrity of the building before opening it to students.
Authorities suspect the death toll could have been significantly higher if not for the timing of the collapse. Because the incident coincided with the Raksha Bandhan holiday, many students were away on vacation. Initial estimates suggest only seven to eight students were inside the building when it gave way.
The fallout of the disaster has prompted immediate safety crackdowns in the neighborhood. On Wednesday morning, municipal authorities began the demolition of an adjoining building that had been serving as a girls’ hostel. The structure was officially declared “dangerous” in the wake of the tragedy, as experts fear the collapse may have compromised the structural stability of surrounding properties.
Police continue to question Sudhanshu as they piece together the chain of responsibility between the owners and the management firm. The investigation is expected to widen as authorities evaluate the safety protocols of other commercial properties operating within similar residential structures across the capital.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
