Delhi building collapse: PG operator arrested as MCD starts demolition at Satya Niketan

The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested PG operator Sudhanshu in connection with the building collapse in South Delhirsquos Satya Niketan that claimed seven livesThe police also took labour contractor Sanoj and Mahesh son of landlord Hariram Gupta from RK Puram Police Station for medical examination as part of the investigation Further examination is underway police sources saidPG operator arrested in building collapse caseAccording to police sources Mahesh told investigators during questioning that the building had been leased to business partners Shubham Tyagi and Sudhanshu in August 2025 The duo subsequently ran the property as a paying guest accommodation under the name lsquoHostel DazersquoMahesh who had been arrested earlier in connection with the collapse is scheduled to be produced before the Patiala House Court on Wednesday after the completion of his police custody The court had remanded him to two days of police custody on MondayPolice said Mahesh told investigators that he managed maintenance of the property on behalf of his parents Urmila 75 and her retired husband Hariram 81The couple had leased the building to the operators of lsquoHostel Dazersquo in August 2025 Urmila and Hariram were sent to 14 days of judicial custody on TuesdayContractor questioned over basement repair workPolice had also arrested labour contractor Sanoj who was allegedly overseeing repair work in the basement of the PG building He was apprehended in Kasganj Uttar Pradesh and was being brought to Delhi for further examinationDuring preliminary questioning Sanoj allegedly told investigators that repair work was underway in the basement on the day of the collapse Police said waste had accumulated on the basement floor for eight to 10 days due to the rainy seasonRepair work was also reportedly being carried out on the ground floor to facilitate an extension for commercial purposes police saidMCD begins demolition of adjoining buildingMeanwhile the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has initiated action against the building adjoining the collapsed structure The building was declared dangerous following the September 6 collapseDelhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had said on Tuesday that the civic agency would demolish the dilapidated building located next to the illfated PG accommodationThe fivestorey lsquoHostel Dazersquo building was being operated as a boysrsquo PG and housed several students when it collapsed at around 130 pm on Sunday Seven people were killed in the incidentMCD intensifies action against unauthorised constructionFollowing the tragedy the MCD has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised construction across the national capitalOn Monday the civic body demolished seven properties sealed two structures and issued 26 showcause notices concerning unauthorised construction It also issued four notices for sealing and 12 demolition ordersThe police investigation into the Satya Niketan collapse and the circumstances surrounding the buildingrsquos operation and repair work is continuingWith inputs from IANS