Three trucks of debris, wall removed on ground floor: New findings in Delhi PG collapse probe | Latest News Delhi - hindustantimes.com

**New Findings Emerge in Satya Niketan PG Collapse Probe**

The three‑storey Satya Niketan building in Delhi’s South Delhi district collapsed on 29 January, trapping dozens of students inside a private‑hostel (PG) accommodation. Rescue teams recovered the body of a first‑year engineering student whose live‑location updates had been shared moments before the incident, prompting nationwide outrage over safety lapses in student housing. The tragedy claimed at least 21 lives and left many more injured, reigniting scrutiny of the city’s building‑approval processes and enforcement mechanisms.

A fresh forensic assessment ordered by the Delhi government has now revealed that three trucks of debris were removed from the site and a load‑bearing wall on the ground floor was dismantled during the initial rescue operations. Investigators say the wall, which supported the upper floors, had been partially breached during an unauthorized renovation carried out by the PG operator, undermining the structure’s stability. The removal of the wall, coupled with the sudden loss of the supporting concrete slab, triggered a progressive collapse that could not be halted by the building’s original design. The probe also uncovered that the property’s “no‑responsibility” clause—intended to shift liability away from the owner—was invoked in the lease agreement, raising legal questions about its enforceability in cases of gross negligence.

In response, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended three senior engineers from its building‑approval department, citing failure to detect the illegal alterations and to enforce compliance with the Delhi Building Bylaws. The Supreme Court, on a separate petition, has asked the state and Union territories’ civic authorities to submit detailed reports on the oversight failures that led to the collapse. Legal experts warn that the “no‑responsibility” clause is unlikely to shield the PG owner from civil and criminal liability, as courts have consistently held that safety standards cannot be contractually waived. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities promising further action against any parties found culpable.