New Delhi, 07 September (H.S.): Delhi Police on Monday apprehended Hariram Bansal, the alleged owner of the building that collapsed in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, a day after the devastating incident claimed seven lives.

The five-storey building, reportedly being used as a paying guest accommodation, collapsed on Sunday, September 6, trapping several people under the rubble. Rescue teams have so far rescued 12 people from the debris, while operations continued to determine whether anyone else remained trapped.

Bansal had reportedly been untraceable following the collapse. Delhi Police deployed 10 teams comprising personnel from the local district police, Special Staff and other units to locate him. An FIR was registered against him and a Look Out Circular was also issued.

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the collapse, including the structural condition of the building and alleged construction or renovation work carried out at the property.

The incident has also brought the functioning of civic authorities under scrutiny. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended five officials from its South Zone following the collapse. Those suspended include the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent Engineer, Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer.

MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar said authorities had identified several buildings in the area for demolition and action against unsafe structures. He said the civic body had carried out hundreds of demolitions and sealed several hundred buildings as part of its campaign against unauthorised construction.

The condition of neighbouring structures has also become a major concern. Officials evacuated nearby buildings after cracks and other signs of structural weakness were reported. Iron supports were installed around some structures to reduce the risk of further damage.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to intensify inspections of paying guest accommodations and other buildings across the capital. The government has also ordered immediate action against illegal multi-storey structures considered unsafe.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar