The Delhi High Court has ordered a high-level investigation into the building collapse in Delhi that claimed seven lives and injured several others, while expressing serious concern over the safety and living conditions of students staying in paying guest (PG) accommodations.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that students cannot be made to live in unsafe buildings and that the authorities cannot turn a blind eye to violations of building rules.
The Court issued notices to the Delhi University, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Delhi Government, Central Government and Delhi Police.
During the hearing, the Bench made it clear that the responsibility for the tragedy cannot be placed only on the owner of the PG. It said that the MCD and other authorities also have a duty to ensure that buildings are constructed and maintained in accordance with building by-laws and other applicable rules.
The Court observed that if officials had properly performed their statutory duties, the incident may have been prevented.
"A large number of students come to Delhi from outside for their studies. They are the future of the country," the Bench observed, while pointing out the "pathetic" conditions in which many students are forced to live.
"You (the government) cannot evade your responsibility... 50 young students are on the threshold of starting their lives. Most of them are likely still trapped under the debris. There is nothing could be more tragic than this," the judges said.
The Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing rescue and relief efforts, observing that they needed to be more effective.
The High Court directed the MCD to find out whether the collapsed building had the necessary permissions and whether it was constructed in accordance with the applicable building by-laws.
The civic body has also been asked to identify officials responsible for any lapses and inform the Court about the action proposed against them.
In a wider direction, the MCD has been asked to inspect all PG hostels within its jurisdiction within one week. The inspection report will have to mention whether the buildings comply with sanctioned permissions and building by-laws, as well as the number of students staying in each establishment.
The Court also directed the civic body to examine the condition of these buildings and submit a report within the stipulated period.
The Bench said the Delhi Government should increase hostel facilities for students, observing that spending on student accommodation is effectively an investment in their future.
The Court also asked the MCD to provide details of the number of students currently staying in PG hostels across Delhi.
Delhi University has been directed to submit details of the number of students from outside Delhi studying in its colleges and the number of hostels being run by the university or the government.
The Court stressed that there is a need for clear regulations governing PG accommodations and that the safety of students cannot be compromised.
The collapsed structure was identified as Property No. 14, where around 50 students were reportedly staying.
According to local residents, the number of casualties could have been higher had the incident taken place on a working day, as several students had gone home over the weekend.
The alleged owner of the building, Hariram, has been apprehended from Bhiwadi.
MCD officials said the building was constructed on around 55 square yards and had a Ground+4 structure in a resettlement colony. However, the permission was reportedly only for a Ground+1 building and no building plan had been approved for the additional construction.
The building collapsed on Sunday when renovation work was reportedly underway in its basement, which was said to remain waterlogged.
The High Court's intervention comes against the backdrop of concerns over the safety of student accommodations in Delhi and the enforcement of building regulations by civic authorities.
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