3 truckloads of debris, 1 missing wall: How renovation doomed Satya Niketan building that killed 7 | Delhi News
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police investigation into the Satya Niketan building collapse has revealed the sequence of renovation work that allegedly weakened the structure before it came crashing down, officials said on Wednesday.According to the investigation, renovation work was carried out at the building around 10 days before the incident on the instructions of Mahesh Gupta, news agency ANI reported.Police said the work involved levelling the basement with the ground floor, for which around three truckloads of construction debris were filled into the basement.On the day of the collapse, a wall on the ground floor was allegedly removed to create additional space for a shop.The structural changes, coupled with the additional load in the basement, allegedly affected the building’s stability, leading to the collapse, police said.Labour contractor Sanoj Kumar, 35, who was allegedly hired for the renovation work, was apprehended from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh and subsequently arrested in the case.During questioning, Sanoj allegedly told police that Mahesh Gupta paid him Rs 2,800 per day for carrying out the renovation work, ANI reported.The investigation also revealed that the building was being used as a paying guest accommodation.PG operator Shudhanshu Lovneesh, 31, was arrested by police.Police said Shudhanshu and his associate Shubham Tyagi had taken four floors of the building on lease in August 2025 for Rs 1.05 lakh per month.According to police, the property was taken at a comparatively lower rent because of its dilapidated condition.Investigators have alleged that Shudhanshu was aware of the renovation work but remained negligent despite knowing that the changes could affect the building’s stability.Mahesh Gupta, Sanoj Kumar and Shudhanshu Lovneesh were produced before a court, which granted two days of police custody.Further investigation is underway.Seven people were killed after the five-storey building collapsed in Satya Niketan on September 6.(With agency inputs)
