Delhi court denies anticipatory bail to lawyer accused in Satya Niketan building collapse - barandbench.com

**Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Lawyer Linked to Satya Niketan Collapse**

A Delhi Sessions Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by senior advocate **Rohit Kumar Sharma**, who is alleged to have played a pivotal role in the illegal construction of the three‑storey hostel at Satya Niketan, New Delhi. The court, presided over by Justice **Anita Mishra**, held that the seriousness of the allegations—ranging from forging building permits to colluding with contractors to bypass safety norms—warrants Sharma’s continued custody while the investigation proceeds. The judge noted that the collapse on **13 May 2023**, which claimed the lives of 19 students and left dozens injured, remains a high‑profile case that has drawn widespread public outcry and prompted multiple judicial inquiries.

The decision arrives amid a cascade of related developments. **Shubham Tyagi**, the operator of the now‑defunct PG accommodation, had earlier absconded but surrendered to the Delhi police this week, acknowledging his involvement in the illegal rent‑collection scheme tied to the hostel. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed all state governments to submit periodic reports on actions taken against illegal constructions, a move widely interpreted as a response to the Satya Niketan tragedy and similar incidents across the capital. In a parallel revelation, a **The Indian Express** investigation disclosed that a worker activated a panic button just minutes before the building’s collapse, suggesting that warnings were either ignored or insufficiently acted upon.

Legal experts caution that the denial of anticipatory bail underscores the judiciary’s intent to hold all parties accountable, especially those in positions of influence. “The court’s stance sends a clear signal that professional privilege cannot shield individuals from criminal liability when public safety is compromised,” said **Advocate Neha Singh**, a senior counsel at the Delhi Bar Association. As the case advances toward trial, the focus now shifts to uncovering the full extent of the alleged conspiracy, the role of municipal officials, and the mechanisms that allowed the illegal structure to operate unchecked for years. The outcome will likely shape future regulatory frameworks for building safety in India’s rapidly expanding urban centers.

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