The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it is mooting examination of building safety issues on a pan-India basis in light of the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi which led to the death of seven persons.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahedevan also said that it will consider transferring the case on Satya Niketan building collapse from Delhi High Court to itself.
"We already have something in mind. It has to be on a pan India basis. We may get it (petition before Delhi High Court) transferred here. We will take it day after tomorrow," the Court said.
The development came about after a plea on the issue was mentioned by Court appointed Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha.
The plea was filed before the Supreme Court seeking urgent directions for inspection and safety audits of private paying guest (PG) accommodations, hostels and other student housing facilities across Delhi.
"In view of the recent tragic incident, it is a very serious issue. We have inspected, completed and the last inspection is today at 2:30pm," Sinha told the Court.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta pointed out that a similar matter is pending before the Delhi High Court and suggested the Supreme Court to transfer the case to itself.
"It is a horrific incident. Our hearts go for children and parents. A PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court. We can file a transfer petition but I am pointing out the order that was passed," SG Mehta said.
The September 6 collapse of a PG building at Satya Niketan near Delhi University's South Campus resulted in the deaths of at least seven people.
The building was being used as a boys' PG and reportedly collapsed while repair work was underway.
The issue was mentioned by Sinha before the bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah since he is seized of a broader matter concerning illegal constructions and unsafe buildings in Delhi-NCR.
In July, the Court had expressed concern over the failure of civic authorities to act against unauthorised and potentially dangerous structures. This was in light of the Saket building collapse and the Malviya Nagar hotel fire.
The Court had directed a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar by a team including IIT Delhi professors, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials and the Amicus Curiae, while seeking action-taken reports from authorities.
It had also warned that officials could be held personally responsible for failing to act against building violations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court had on Monday directed the MCD to conduct a high-level inquiry into whether the Satya Niketan building had valid construction permissions and to identify officials responsible for any lapses.
This was on a PIL flagging the collapse of the building.
The High Court had also expressed concern over the proliferation of unsafe PG accommodations and the shortage of institutional hostel facilities for students. It had observed that PG owners often undertake construction in violation of sanctioned plans.
This PIL petition is now likely to be transferred to the Supreme Court.
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