Supreme Court lets Delhi HC retain Satya Niketan collapse case as action begins

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to pull the Satya Niketan building collapse case away from the Delhi High Court, observing that the situation had begun to move and that there was no reason to disturb the existing arrangement.

A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahdevan said the high court would continue to monitor compliance with its directions at short intervals. The top court had indicated on September 8 that it might transfer the matter to itself if required.

Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, appointed amicus curiae in the case, told the Bench that civic authorities had started acting against unauthorised constructions and paying guest accommodations, with structures exceeding four storeys being demolished. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, also urged the court not to shift the case, saying the civic bodies were working in a more focused manner.

The Bench accepted both suggestions and said its earlier directions against unauthorised construction would have to be complied with.

The five-storey building, which housed a boys' paying guest accommodation in Satya Niketan near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed around 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, killing seven people and injuring 12.

The building owner, his wife and his son have been arrested, and five MCD officials have been suspended in connection with the collapse.