Supreme Court to Hear Satya Niketan Collapse Case, May Transfer From High Court
SC will hear the Satya Niketan building collapse case on Sept 10 and may transfer it from the Delhi HC, citing overlap with a pan-India matter.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for September 10 on the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi, which killed seven students. A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahdevan indicated it may transfer the case from the Delhi High Court, where a related PIL is already pending.
The bench described the issues as "serious" and noted they overlap with a broader case the top court is already examining. That existing matter concerns unauthorised constructions in residential areas, fire safety violations, and the illegal conversion of residential properties into commercial establishments across the country.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, called the incident "most unfortunate" and expressed condolences for the victims and their families. He informed the court that the Delhi High Court had passed an order on the matter on Monday.
Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, the amicus curiae in the larger case, said the site had been inspected along with an IIT professor and MCD officials. A status report has been filed, and he urged the court to take up the matter urgently to issue necessary directions.
The Delhi High Court had earlier ordered a high-level inquiry by the MCD into the collapse, stating that authorities cannot evade responsibility. It linked the tragedy to inadequate measures by the MCD and other agencies.
The five-storey building, which housed paying guests near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed around 1:30 pm on Sunday. The rescue operation concluded after over 27 hours, with seven dead and five injured. The building owner, his wife, and son have been arrested, and five MCD officials have been suspended.