The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may examine building safety and structural violations across the country following the recent collapse of a PG accommodation in Delhi's Satya Niketan area, which left seven people dead.

A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan said the issue needs to be looked at on a pan-India basis. The Court also indicated that it may transfer to itself a related case currently pending before the Delhi High Court.

“We already have something in mind. It has to be on a pan-India basis. We may get it transferred here. We will take it day after tomorrow,” the bench observed.

The issue was brought before the Supreme Court by Court-appointed Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha. He sought urgent directions for inspection and safety audits of private paying guest (PG) accommodations, hostels and other student housing facilities across Delhi.

Sinha told the Court that inspections had already been carried out and that the final inspection was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

“In view of the recent tragic incident, it is a very serious issue. We have inspected, completed and the last inspection is today at 2:30 pm,” he submitted.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that a similar public interest litigation is already pending before the Delhi High Court and suggested that the matter be brought before the Supreme Court.

“It is a horrific incident. Our hearts go for children and parents,” Mehta said, referring to the Satya Niketan tragedy.

The Satya Niketan building collapsed on September 6 while repair work was reportedly underway. The building was being used as a boys' PG accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus. Seven people lost their lives in the incident.

The matter came before the bench in connection with a broader case concerning illegal constructions and unsafe buildings in Delhi-NCR.

The Supreme Court had raised concerns over unsafe and unauthorised structures in July, particularly after a building collapse in Saket and a hotel fire in Malviya Nagar. It had directed a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar by a team comprising IIT Delhi professors, MCD officials and the Amicus Curiae.

The Court had also sought action-taken reports from the authorities and warned that officials could be held personally responsible if they failed to take action against building violations.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a high-level inquiry into the Satya Niketan collapse.

The inquiry will examine whether the building had the required construction permissions and whether any officials were responsible for lapses.

While hearing a PIL on the incident, the High Court also raised concerns over the growing number of unsafe PG accommodations and the lack of adequate institutional hostel facilities for students. The Court noted that PG owners often carry out construction or alterations in violation of sanctioned plans.

With the Supreme Court now considering a wider, pan-India examination of building safety, the PIL pending before the Delhi High Court may soon be transferred to the apex court.