PG Operator Arrested in Delhi Building Collapse Probe

Delhi Police have arrested Sudhanshu, one of the operators of the paying guest (PG) accommodation that collapsed in Satya Niketan on September 6, killing seven people and injuring five others. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).

The building, a five-storey structure, housed a PG run under the name 'Hostel Daze', which has other branches in the area. Students said the building had been vacant for a couple of years before being leased to Sudhanshu and two others last year. The property was owned by Urmila, with her husband Hariram and son Mahesh involved in its management. The family had leased the building to the PG operators in August 2025.

Investigators are examining the roles of the leaseholders and the construction and repair work being carried out in the basement and ground floor. Police said the basement was being repaired and waste had been accumulating for at least ten days before the incident. The ground floor was being repaired for an extension for commercial purposes.

On Tuesday, police apprehended a labour contractor, Sanoj, from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, a Delhi court sent Hariram and Urmila to 14 days' judicial custody, while Mahesh was remanded to police custody for two days. Mahesh was produced in court on Wednesday as his remand ended. Police said Mahesh told them he managed the building's maintenance on behalf of his parents. On the day of the collapse, the family fled to Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, after learning of the incident from locals.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has suspended five officials in connection with the collapse. The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to inspect PG accommodations across the city, including their construction permissions and compliance with building bye-laws. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether unauthorised construction, repair work, or regulatory lapses contributed to the disaster.