Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Delhi Police have so far arrested five people in connection with the collapse of a paying guest (PG) accommodation in the Satya Niketan area that claimed seven lives and left five others injured.
Police on Wednesday arrested Sudhanshu, who was allegedly operating the PG. His business partner, Shubham Tyagi, is still absconding. According to investigators, the two had taken the building on lease in August 2025 to run the PG.
Earlier, police arrested labour contractor Sanoj from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. Before that, the building owner Hariram Bansal, his wife Urmila and their son Mahesh were arrested in connection with the case.
During police questioning, Mahesh reportedly told investigators that Shubham Tyagi and Sudhanshu had leased the building from his family and were operating the PG.
On Monday night, Hariram Bansal, Urmila and Mahesh were produced before the Patiala House Court. Judge Bhavya Kharal sent Hariram and Urmila to 14 days of judicial custody, while Mahesh was remanded to two days of police custody.
During his police remand, Mahesh Gupta reportedly told the investigating officer that repair work was being carried out in the basement after the PG operators complained about water accumulation and dampness.
Police suspect that after the basement was drained, construction work was undertaken and a power trowel machine was being operated at the site. Investigators are examining whether vibrations generated by the machine, combined with the already weakened structure, contributed to the building collapse.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Municipal Corporation has begun demolishing buildings adjoining the collapsed structure. On Tuesday, the civic body demolished one building that had been declared dangerous. A girls’ PG was reportedly being operated from the building, which was evacuated after the September 6 incident.
The police investigation into the exact cause of the collapse and the role of the arrested and absconding accused is underway.
