The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre, Delhi Government and several civic, police and educational authorities on a public interest petition seeking stronger safety measures for students living in private paying guest accommodations, rented flats and hostels after the Satya Niketan building incident.
The court has issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi Government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Police, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi University, the University Grants Commission, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi and Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand College, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi.
The respondents have been directed to file affidavits in response to the petition. The plea seeks the creation of student accommodation advisory and monitoring committees at the college, university and district levels. These proposed committees would cover student housing arrangements including PG accommodation, rented flats and hostels.
The petition has been taken up in the wake of the Satya Niketan incident, which raised concerns about the safety of buildings and accommodation used by students in the capital. The material available in the report does not provide further details on the incident, including the number of people affected, the condition of the building or the findings of any separate investigation.
The case brings several layers of responsibility into the court proceedings. The MCD has a role as the civic authority named in the matter, while Delhi Police is among the agencies asked to respond. Universities and colleges have also been included, reflecting the petition’s focus on student accommodation beyond campus premises. The UGC has been named alongside individual universities and an affiliated college.
Private PGs, rented flats and hostels are a significant part of the accommodation network used by students in Delhi. Unlike university campuses, such housing can involve multiple parties, including property owners, operators, tenants, educational institutions and civic agencies. The petition’s request for advisory and monitoring committees seeks an institutional mechanism covering these different accommodation arrangements.
The court’s notice does not amount to a final finding on responsibility or establish that all student housing facilities are unsafe. The respondents are expected to place their positions and relevant information before the court through affidavits. Any directions on committees, inspections or monitoring will depend on the proceedings and the responses filed by the authorities and institutions.
The matter will next be heard on October 14 along with other petitions connected with the Satya Niketan incident. The affidavits filed before that hearing are expected to indicate how the authorities and educational institutions respond to the proposed student housing safety framework.
