Police investigation into the collapse of a PG building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan has revealed that PG operator Sudhanshu was in his office, about 100 metres from the site, when the incident occurred. Despite learning about the collapse, he allegedly did not reach the spot. Police are examining his call detail records (CDR), while questioning of the contractor involved in the construction and renovation work is continuing.
Police said Sudhanshu, a resident of Delhi’s Bhajanpura area, was concerned that local residents might assault him following the incident. According to the investigation, he made some phone calls and subsequently left the area.
The investigation has found that Sudhanshu had been running the PG business with his friend Shubham Tyagi since 2022. The two had started operating a PG under the name “Hostel Daze” in Satya Niketan.
According to police, the two partners were currently operating seven PGs or other accommodation facilities in the Satya Niketan area. The building that collapsed was also being operated by them.
Sudhanshu and Shubham had taken the building involved in the incident on rent in August 2025 for ₹1.05 lakh per month.
According to police sources, the building involved in the incident was already in a dilapidated condition. Police said this was one of the reasons it had been taken at a comparatively lower rent. Investigators claim that the PG operators were aware of the building’s condition and of the potential risks arising from repair and construction work being carried out there.
However, according to police sources, the operators did not pay adequate attention to the building’s repairs or construction activities.
The investigation has also found that the PG operators did not carry out any major structural changes to the building. They mainly had the walls painted and installed second-hand ACs, beds, cupboards and tables.
Following the collapse, business partner Shubham Tyagi is reported to be absconding. Several police teams are searching for him, while investigating agencies are examining his possible role in the incident.
Police arrested Sanoj Kumar from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday in connection with the case. Sanoj Kumar was the labour contractor of Mahesh Gupta, the owner of the building involved in the incident.
According to police, Mahesh Gupta had assigned Sanoj the construction and repair work on the ground floor and basement of the building.
During questioning, investigators learned that Sanoj Kumar had been carrying out renovation work in the building for about 10 days. As part of the work, the basement and ground floor were being brought to the same level.
According to police sources, about three truckloads of debris had been filled into the basement during the construction and repair work. At the same time, a wall on the ground floor was obstructing the preparation of space for a shop.
Police claim that the wall was allegedly demolished on the day of the incident. Investigators are examining the possibility that after the wall was removed, the building’s structure could not withstand the additional load, resulting in the collapse of the entire five-storey building.
Police are currently examining the technical and construction-related aspects of the incident. The possible link between the removal of the wall, accumulation of debris in the basement and the building’s pre-existing condition is also part of the investigation.
According to police, the workers engaged at the site had gone outside for lunch when the building collapsed. As a result, contractor Sanoj Kumar and his workers were not caught in the incident.
When Sanoj Kumar returned towards the building after lunch, he found that the structure had completely collapsed. The investigation was subsequently initiated, and police questioned people associated with the construction work.
The investigation into the Satya Niketan PG incident is now examining not only the role of people involved in construction work but also the responsibility of the PG operators.
Police are investigating how much the operators knew about the condition of the building and what safety measures they took during the construction and repair work.
The fact that Sudhanshu was only about 100 metres from the site but did not reach the location has also become an important part of the investigation. Police are examining his CDR to determine whom he contacted after learning about the incident and what he did subsequently.
Shubham Tyagi remains absconding, and police are using information obtained from arrested labour contractor Sanoj Kumar to establish the sequence of events surrounding the collapse. Further action will be determined based on the investigation into the roles of the building owner, PG operators and people involved in the construction work.
The circumstances behind the collapse and the level of negligence involved will become clear after the police investigation is completed. For now, the condition of the building, construction work, debris accumulated in the basement and the removal of the wall remain key areas of the investigation.
