The absconding Delhi boys' hostel owner, Hariram Gupta, has been arrested in Rajasthan on Monday, a day after his multi-storey building collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people and injuring several others.
He was apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
Police had earlier issued a lookout notice against the owner after booking him on charges of culpable homicide and negligence in maintaining the structure and endangering the safety of others.
Delhi police had formed 10 teams, including personnel from the local district police, and Special Staff and other operational units to trace Gupta. Each team was headed by an officer with Additional DCP rank.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi meanwhile has given the owner of another building in the area three days to demolish the structure after it was found to be in a “ruinous and dangerous condition”. The MCD on Sunday issued an order for property No 13 in Satya Niketan, directing the owner to tear down the structure, citing that it posed a threat to residents, visitors, passersby, and neighbouring buildings.
In failure to comply, the MCD said that "It would demolish the building if the owner or occupier failed to do so within three days of receiving the order and recover the cost from the owner as arrears of tax."
Authorities are continuing their search and rescue operations after a five-storey building housing a boys’ hostel collapsed on Sunday. A total of 12 people have been rescued as of Monday afternoon.
The MCD also suspended South Zone Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar and four engineers pending disciplinary proceedings with immediate effect after the building collapse. The suspended officials include Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer (Building) Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer (Building) Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer (Building) Ashish Kumar of the South Zone.
The MCD had earlier ordered the evacuation of tenants from a nearby girls' hostel declared to be in dilapidated condition.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that strict action would be taken against “MCD officials found responsible. Instructions have been issued to immediately seal buildings in Delhi having a fifth floor, in a statement.
The CM said water accumulated in the basement of the Satya Niketan building and contributed to its collapse. "Approximately 80 per cent of the debris has been cleared, with only the basement debris remaining. Water had accumulated in the basement, and the combination of this with ongoing repair work on the old structure led to the collapse," she said.
