‘Students are the future’: Delhi MCD under court fire, probe ordered into building collapse that killed 7

Delhi High Court has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a five-storey building that housed students, as the death toll reached seven. The judges expressed severe disapproval of the conditions in the building, describing them as "pathetic" and stated that a system endangering students' lives could not be tolerated.

The court emphasized that students coming to Delhi for studies are the future of the country and held the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) accountable for the safety of such buildings.

The court directed the MCD to scrutinize whether the building had valid permissions and complied with building regulations, identify responsible officials, and outline the consequences for their lapses. Additionally, the court ordered inspections of all PG accommodations under its jurisdiction, seeking a report within a week on their adherence to sanctioned plans and building regulations, as well as the count of students living there.

Delhi University was asked to disclose the number of out-of-town students staying in its hostels and the available accommodations.

Notices were issued to several authorities, including Delhi University, MCD, National Human Rights Commission, Delhi and central governments, and Delhi Police. The building owner, Hariram Bansal, was apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, after allegedly fleeing the scene following the collapse. Five MCD South Zone officials were suspended with immediate effect pending an inquiry, including the Deputy Commissioner, Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer, and Junior Engineer.

The court expressed concerns about the rescue operation, urging for more effectiveness and stressing that student safety should not be compromised.