New Delhi, September 10: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to transfer to itself the proceedings related to the recent building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, allowing the matter to continue before the Delhi High Court.
A Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan also raised concerns over overcrowding and inadequate safety measures in paying guest (PG) accommodations in the national capital.The matter before the Supreme Court involved a request to shift the proceedings from the Delhi High Court.
The apex court, however, decided against transferring the case.The Satya Niketan incident has also brought renewed attention to the safety and living conditions of PG facilities used by students and other residents in Delhi.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday had issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government and Delhi University on a Public Interest Litigation seeking a comprehensive policy for providing safe, affordable and sufficient hostel facilities to university students in the Capital.
The PIL has highlighted the difficulties faced by students in finding secure and reasonably priced accommodation, particularly when institutional hostel facilities are limited.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police investigation into the building collapse has resulted in arrests. Police arrested 31-year-old Sudhanshu Lovneesh, identified as the operator of the PG facility, and formally arrested labour contractor Sanoj Kumar.Kumar had been apprehended in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj a day earlier, according to officials.
Both accused were subsequently remanded to two days of police custody as the investigation continued.The developments have put the spotlight on the need for effective enforcement of building and safety norms in PG accommodations and other residential facilities in Delhi.
