Delhi hostel collapse kills seven as building owner remains untraceable

The collapse of the five-storey Hostel Daze paying-guest building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan killed seven people, injured others and ended a 27-hour rescue operation that saved 12 people. Police registered a case against owner Hariram Bansal and others, while the precise cause remains under investigation amid reports of renovation or basement work, water accumulation, weakened pillars and possible violations of construction rules. Experts said failures involving soil, foundations, drainage and excavation may have caused settlement or instability, highlighting risks from unauthorised construction and weak enforcement. The adjoining building was declared unsafe for phased demolition, and the incident was raised in Supreme Court proceedings concerning broader building by-law and land-use violations. The Delhi government ordered a magisterial inquiry and inspections of nearby paying-guest accommodations, while the MCD suspended five officials and announced action against illegal buildings. Student groups have demanded accountability, including the MCD commissioner’s resignation, as concerns persist over unsafe student housing, emergency exits, wiring, fire safety and the longer-term effects on survivors, residents and rescuers.