Delhi hostel collapse kills seven as building owner remains untraceable

Seven people have died and 12 have been rescued after the five-storey boys’ paying-guest building known as Hostel Daze collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan near Delhi University’s South Campus during renovation work. Rescue teams continued searching the rubble, with basement water accumulation, weakened pillars, rain and possible construction violations cited as potential contributing factors. The building’s owner, Hariram Bansal, remained untraceable as police registered an FIR, issued a lookout circular and searched across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi government ordered a magisterial inquiry and inspections of nearby paying-guest accommodations, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended five officials and announced action, including sealing illegal buildings above four floors. The incident renewed concerns about overcrowded, poorly maintained student housing, limited university hostel capacity and inadequate safety oversight. Protests called for accountability, safety audits and the resignation of the MCD commissioner.