NEW DELHI: Delhi Police Monday arrested Hariram Gupta (81), who was operating the five-storey PG accommodation that collapsed in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Sunday, from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan. He is a retired IAF sergeant. Gupta’s wife Urmila (75) and their son Mahesh (52) have also been arrested.The toll in Sunday’s incident rose to seven after two more bodies were extricated from the rubble early Monday. The deceased students have been identified as Arpit Jaj (19), Abhishek (20), Yuvraj Soni (20), Pawan (17) and Akshat Singh Yadav (18). Two labourers – Surinder Singh (56) and Param Lal Kori (30) – also died in the incident. The rescue and search operation has concluded while a small part of the debris is yet to be cleared.MCD has suspended five south zone officials – deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar, superintending engineer Ranvir Singh, executive engineer (building) Lalit Kumar Goel, assistant engineer (building) Sunil Chauhan and junior engineer (building) Ashish Kumar.In a post on X, CM Rekha Gupta said: “The building owner has been arrested. Immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors has been ordered across Delhi. Nearby PGs and buildings are also being thoroughly inspected. Strict action, including sealing, will be taken against violations. Delhi govt has taken the matter with utmost seriousness. Anyone found guilty or responsible will not be spared.” A formal order to seal buildings has, however, not been passed by MCD so far.The probe revealed that construction work had been under way at the property for the past two weeks. Sources said the work included plans to merge two shops, besides carrying out work to address waterlogging. The PG had only one entry and exit point. Investigators have also learned that multiple PG accommodations were being operated in the area under the same name, and are verifying whether they were connected to the same operator.“The building was around 40-50 years old and additional floors were added from time to time. There was also commercial space on the premises. The current PG had been operating there for around a year,” sources said. Searches are being conducted to trace the PG warden/manager and the labour contractor associated with the building. Their roles in the incident are also being examined.PG netted owner Rs 4L/month Delhi Police, meanwhile, said Hariram was apprehended after raids by over 10 teams were launched to net him. After he was found missing from his Gurgaon home, police used technical surveillance to trace his movements and opened a look-out circular against him to prevent him from leaving the country.A watch was also kept on the premises, including shops, owned by him and his family. The operation was monitored by joint commissioner Nupur Prasad. “Finding himself cornered, Hariram sent some messages seeking help, which alerted us to his location,” said a senior cop.Police said five people are being treated for injuries. They have been identified as Asgar Ali (30), Neeraj Bawa (19), Aditya Kumar (19), Nitish Chib (19) and Md Ayan (18). They are undergoing treatment, with two of them reported to be in critical condition.During the investigation, police found the property is registered in the name of Gupta’s wife Urmila, but was managed and operated by her husband. Electricity connections for two floors of the building are also registered in his name. Their son, Mahesh, runs a hardware and paint shop.A special team has been formed to investigate the case and officers have sought the ownership documents of the building as well as its map and other permissions.Initial probe and interview with students has revealed around 15 cramped rooms had been carved out in the 55-square-yard house to house 45 students. Three students were lodged in each room and every occupant was charged at least Rs 10,000 per month. The property, sources said, is believed to be generating a revenue of over Rs 4 lakh per month.The probe, sources said, will also extend to “PG mafia” in the area – private players facilitating illegal construction and operation of PGs on commission basis.A purported rent agreement for the PG has also surfaced. It purportedly states: “In case of any personal injury suffered/loss/damage of personal belongings of the tenant due to reasons beyond the control of the PG vize sealing/fire/earthquake/heavy rains/other natural calamities etc, the hostel will not be liable for paying any compensation.”The document adds: “PG authorities are not responsible for any casualties to tenants.”
