The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it is considering a pan-India examination of building safety issues following the collapse of a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, which claimed seven lives.
A Division Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan also indicated that it may transfer to itself the proceedings pending before the Delhi High Court concerning the Satya Niketan building collapse.
Observing that a nationwide approach is required, the Court expressed its inclination to transfer the petition pending before the Delhi High Court to itself, listing the matter for further consideration after two days.
The development came after Court-appointed Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha mentioned a plea seeking urgent directions for inspection and safety audits of private PG accommodations, hostels and other student housing facilities across Delhi.
Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, appearing as Amicus Curiae, submitted before the Court that the recent tragedy highlighted a grave issue, adding that the scheduled inspections were nearing completion with the final audit set for 2:30 pm.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that a PIL concerning the collapse was already pending before the Delhi High Court and suggested that the Supreme Court consider transferring the proceedings to itself.
Characterizing the event as a horrific tragedy and expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that a writ petition was pending before the Delhi High Court and suggested filing a petition to transfer the matter.
The five-storeyed building, being used as a boys’ PG accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus, collapsed on September 6 while repair work was reportedly underway, resulting in the deaths of seven people.
The issue was mentioned before the Supreme Court in proceedings concerning illegal constructions and unsafe buildings in Delhi-NCR. In July, the Court had expressed concern over the failure of civic authorities to take timely action against unauthorised and potentially dangerous structures following incidents including a building collapse in Saket and a hotel fire in Malviya Nagar.
The Court had directed a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar by a team comprising IIT Delhi professors, Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials and the Amicus Curiae. It had also sought action-taken reports from the authorities and warned that officials could be held personally responsible for failing to act against building violations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the MCD to conduct a high-level inquiry into whether the Satya Niketan building had valid construction permissions and to identify officials responsible for any lapses.
While hearing a PIL concerning the collapse, the High Court also expressed concern over the proliferation of unsafe PG accommodations and the shortage of institutional hostel facilities for students, observing that PG owners often undertake construction in violation of sanctioned plans.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider the proposed transfer of the Delhi High Court proceedings and the broader issue of building safety on Thursday.
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