Delhi Hostel Building Collapse Update: Owner and Family Arrested

The Delhi building collapse death toll has risen to 7, with arrests, MCD scrutiny, and questions over illegal construction and safety violations.

The death toll in the Delhi building collapse has risen to 7, including 5 students and 2 labourers. After 27 hours of rescue operations, the last bodies were recovered, while 12 people were rescued alive.

The property was registered to 75-year-old Urmila Gupta. Her husband, 81-year-old Hariram Gupta, was involved in running the property, while their son Mahesh Gupta managed the hostel.

After the collapse, Hariram Gupta allegedly switched off his phone and left Gurugram. Delhi Police launched a search across four states and eventually arrested him in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, on 7 September. His wife and son were also arrested.

The MCD has come under scrutiny, with five officials suspended, including the Deputy Commissioner. The Delhi High Court has also ordered a high-level inquiry.

The property was originally approved only as a G+1 structure, but had eventually become a much taller building. Authorities also ordered the demolition of the neighbouring property, which was considered unsafe.

Meanwhile, one unexpected detail from the rescue operation gained attention: a Blinkit ambulance arrived at the site before the fire brigade, police and NDRF teams.

Some trapped students had reportedly called for an ambulance themselves, after which around nine more Blinkit ambulances reached the spot. Blinkit offers free emergency ambulance services in select parts of Delhi-NCR.