Delhi building collapse LIVE: Satya Niketan building's owner's son, two others sent to 2-day police custody | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times

**Delhi Building Collapse Claims Seven Lives, Triggers Arrests**

A three‑storey residential building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan neighbourhood collapsed early on Thursday, killing seven people and injuring several others. Emergency services rushed to the site, pulling victims from the rubble and transporting the deceased to nearby hospitals. The structure, which housed a paying‑guest (PG) accommodation on the upper floor, gave way after a wall in the basement was removed during ongoing renovation work, according to preliminary reports.

Police investigations quickly zeroed in on the renovation activities that preceded the disaster. Officials say three truckloads of debris were hauled away after the collapse, and a missing wall—identified as a load‑bearing element—appears to have been the critical failure point. The son of the building’s owner, along with two additional individuals, has been placed in police custody for a two‑day term for questioning. In a separate development, the PG operator running the accommodation was also arrested on charges of negligence and violation of building codes.

Delhi’s chief minister and the municipal corporation have pledged a thorough inquiry and stricter enforcement of construction regulations to prevent similar tragedies. The incident has reignited public debate over illegal alterations in aging buildings, with civic groups demanding faster action against unsafe structures. Authorities have announced a city‑wide audit of older apartments and PG facilities, emphasizing that accountability will be pursued for any breach of safety norms.