The Delhi Police on Monday apprehended the owner of the building that collapsed in Satya Niketan, even as the death toll in the incident rose to seven, with 12 people rescued so far.
The owner, Hariram, was traced and detained in Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi area following a massive search operation involving 10 police teams and the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC), officials said.
The teams comprised personnel from the southwest district, Special Staff and other units of the Delhi Police. They were sent to Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and several adjoining districts, with the searches coordinated and supervised by officers of the rank of additional deputy commissioner of police.
“The lookout notice and the extensive search operation were part of the investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the decades-old building, which housed a boys’ paying guest accommodation in Satya Niketan,” a senior police officer said.
The building collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was under way, trapping several people under the debris.
Search and rescue operations entered their second day on Monday, with multiple agencies continuing efforts to ascertain whether anyone else remained trapped.
Police had earlier registered a case against Hariram and others at the South Campus police station under charges including culpable homicide, negligence in the upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.
The investigation is examining the circumstances in which the repair work was being carried out and the condition of the structure before the collapse, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suspended several officials on Monday, including the Deputy Commissioner, South Zone; Executive Engineer, South Zone; Superintendent Engineer, South Zone; Assistant Engineer, Zone; and a Junior Engineer.
MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar said: “Unfortunately, we have lost seven lives. We think the building next to the collapsed building has weakened, and it was strengthened through the night. We will take it up for demolition in a calibrated manner in the next 1-2 days.”
“In August, we had passed demolition orders for 3-4 buildings in the same area. A regular identification is conducted. In the last three months, 960 demolitions were carried out, 407 buildings were sealed, and notices were served to 1500 buildings for sealing and demolition. This is a regular process to take action against unauthorized construction,” he added.
The collapse has also prompted administrative action, with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announcing a new policy mandating structural audits of all buildings used for public purposes, including paying guest accommodations.
(With inputs from PTI)
