Delhi building collapse LIVE: Six pulled out alive from rubble; building owner nabbed from Rajasthan - The Hindu

**Delhi Building Collapse Claims Lives, Sparks Legal and Political Fallout**

A three‑storey private hostel in the Satya Niketan area of Delhi collapsed early on Thursday, leaving seven people dead and dozens more trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams from the Delhi Police, fire services and the National Disaster Response Force worked through the night, pulling six survivors out alive while continuing to search for additional victims. Preliminary investigations suggest that structural failures, possibly exacerbated by illegal alterations, contributed to the sudden failure of the building, which housed mainly students and working‑class tenants.

The owner of the hostel, identified as a resident of Rajasthan, was apprehended by Rajasthan police after a coordinated effort with Delhi authorities. He had reportedly fled the city shortly after the incident, prompting a manhunt that culminated in his arrest on charges of culpable homicide, negligence, and violation of building safety norms. The Delhi High Court, responding to a public interest litigation, ordered a high‑level probe into the collapse and directed the state government to file a report within ten days, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive audit of private hostels and similar accommodations across the capital.

Political reactions have been swift and partisan. The opposition Congress condemned the tragedy as evidence of a “four‑engine government” turning the city into a “killing machine,” demanding accountability from the ruling BJP and immediate compensation for the victims’ families. Meanwhile, the ruling party’s officials have pledged to strengthen enforcement of building codes and expedite the pending investigation. A separate PIL filed in the High Court seeks a ₹1 crore compensation package for the deceased and calls for an exhaustive audit of all private guest houses and hostels to prevent future disasters.