What is your source? Delhi HC on plea alleging people still trapped under Satya Niketan building debris

The Delhi High Court on Monday took exception to a plea alleging that people could still be trapped underneath the debris of the Satya Niketan building that collapsed on September 6 leading to the death of seven people.

The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Chief Justice (CJ) Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.

The plea claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolished a building adjoining the collapsed Satya Niketan building without clearing the debris, and that there may be people still trapped inside.

However, the Court asked the petitioner's counsel what the urgency was and also demanded what the source of his information was.

"What is your source of information that there are people below the debris? How do you know?" the CJ demanded.

The Court said that the authorities must have conducted some technical audit before demolishing the adjoining building. CJ Upadhyaya told the petitioner to file the plea, adding that it will be auto-listed.

"They must have conducted some type of technical audit before deciding to demolish. File it, it will be auto listed tomorrow. What is so urgent?" the Court said.

The Satya Niketan building near Delhi University‘s South campus collapsed on September 6. It was being used as a PG accommodation for boys before it caved in during repair works.

Students and workers are among those dead.

The Court is already considering a public interest litigation (PIL) petition on the issue seeking ₹1 crore compensation for the kin of the victims of the collapse besides a structural audit of all PG accommodations/ hostels.

Further, the Court is also seized of another PIL petition seeking directions to ensure that each and every college affiliated to DU has hostel facilities for students.