The court has extended the judicial custody of six accused in the Satya Niketan building collapse case by 14 days and rejected the bail plea of Hariram Gupta, the husband of the building’s owner, as the investigation remains at an early stage.
Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler at Patiala House Courts denied Gupta’s bail after noting that the chargesheet had not yet been filed. The court also took into account that seven people died in the collapse, several others were injured and one victim remained in critical condition, according to the report.
The five-storey Hostel Days building in Satya Niketan collapsed in an incident that led to the arrest of six people. Those in custody include Hariram Gupta; Mahesh Gupta, the son of building owner Urmila Gupta; paying guest operators Sudhanshu and Shubham Tyagi; and labour contractor Sanoj, among others.
The court said Gupta could not be treated as completely separate from activities at the premises. It noted that the electricity connections for the property were in his name and that statements recorded during the investigation had referred to his role in work being carried out at the complex.
Gupta’s defence argued that he was 81-82 years old, a retired Indian Air Force personnel and had no criminal record. His lawyers also cited health problems and said he required regular medication. The court rejected the bail plea at this stage but directed the jail superintendent to ensure that Gupta received his medicines on time in accordance with medical advice.
The custody extension keeps the six accused in judicial detention while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The court’s observations indicate that the investigation is still collecting witness statements and assessing the roles of individuals connected with the building and its operations.
The case has also renewed attention on the safety of buildings used for paying guest accommodation and hostel-like purposes in densely occupied urban areas. The court’s record, as reported, links the proceedings to the deaths, injuries and the condition of the premises, while the final legal responsibility will depend on the investigation and the chargesheet.
The next significant step in the case will be the completion of the ongoing investigation and the filing of the chargesheet. Until then, the six accused will remain in judicial custody under the court’s order.
