Delhi Police have arrested the labour contractor who was overseeing construction work at a Satya Niketan student hostel that collapsed on Sunday, resulting in seven deaths. The contractor, identified as Sanoj, was detained in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, and brought to the capital.
According to the FIR, building owners Hariram Gupta and his brother constructed four additional floors on the existing structure to increase rental income, even though they were aware the foundation could not support the extra load. Mahesh Gupta, who managed the property on behalf of his parents Hariram and Urmila, told investigators that the building had been leased to a PG operator named Hostel Daze in August 2025. Two ground-floor shops were being merged and expanded at the time of the incident.
Police sources indicated that a load-bearing wall may have been removed during the construction, potentially compromising the building’s stability and contributing to the collapse. Mahesh was questioned about the construction activity and documents related to ownership and possession. Soil samples from the site have been collected for forensic analysis to check for signs of disturbance, excavation, water seepage or foundation weakening.
The owners stated that basement repairs were underway because water had been accumulating during rains for the previous 8–10 days. They learned of the collapse from local residents and then travelled to a relative’s house in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. A court has remanded Hariram and Urmila to 14 days of judicial custody, while Mahesh remains in police custody for two days.
Investigators also confronted Mahesh with a draft rent agreement that appeared designed to limit the owners’ liability in case of mishap. The document stated that the PG establishment would not be responsible for compensation if a tenant suffered injury or loss due to circumstances beyond its control. Mahesh claimed he was unaware of the legal implications of the agreement.
The case continues to be investigated as authorities examine the structural modifications and the circumstances that led to the fatal collapse.