A look-out notice has been issued against Hariram Bansal, the owner of the five-storey paying guest accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan that collapsed on Sunday, killing six people, as police intensify efforts to trace him. Live Updates here.
Police have the accused’s passport copy and have initiated steps to prevent him from leaving the country, according to the latest update.
Bansal, a resident of Gurugram, has been named in an FIR registered at South Campus police station following the collapse of the building, which was being used as a boys’ PG near Delhi University’s South Campus. Police have formed teams to trace him and others connected with the property.
The FIR names Bansal under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct in pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings, and acts endangering life or personal safety. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.
The building, reportedly known as Hostel Daze, collapsed around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair and construction work was underway. Preliminary investigations have focused on work being carried out in the basement and possible structural weaknesses. The building was reportedly around 40 to 50 years old.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has said the property, identified as P-14 Satya Niketan, stood on a plot of around 55 square yards and comprised a basement and ground plus four floors. Officials have said there was no sanctioned building plan for the structure and that the basement work was unauthorised.
The collapse triggered a massive rescue operation involving the NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, MCD and other agencies. Six people were killed and several others injured. According to hospital officials, the AIIMS JPN Apex Trauma Centre received 10 patients from the incident, with five brought dead and another later succumbing to injuries.
The tragedy has also prompted wider action by the Delhi government. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial probe and warned that those responsible will face strict action. The MCD has announced that illegal constructions exceeding four floors will be sealed and that officials found responsible for lapses could face disciplinary action.
The case is now expected to focus on who authorised the renovation work, whether required permissions were obtained, how the PG was being operated and whether earlier inspections or enforcement action could have prevented the disaster.