The Delhi Police have issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against building owner Hariram Bansal following the fatal collapse of a five-storey building in Satya Niketan, as efforts to trace and arrest him have been stepped up. The teams include personnel from the local district police and Special Staff, along with officers from various operational units. Each team is being led by an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Additional DCP)-rank officer, with senior officers overseeing the searches.
Police have formed 10 teams to locate Bansal, who is currently absconding.
An FIR was registered against Bansal and others on Sunday in connection with the collapse. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site again on Monday morning to review the rescue operation and assess the safety measures being taken following the collapse. Raids are being carried out at multiple locations in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as police widen the search for Bansal. Several students were staying in the building at the time of the incident. At least six people have died in the collapse, while five others have been rescued. Rescue teams are continuing their search through the debris for those who may still be trapped. A large number of students are feared to be among those missing, with several students from nearby Delhi University colleges reportedly living in PG accommodations in the area. Following the collapse, authorities have intensified inspections of PG accommodations and other buildings in the vicinity to identify violations and take action where necessary.
Police said the building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, was being used as a boys’ paying guest (PG) accommodation and renovation work was allegedly being carried out in the basement when the structure suddenly gave way. An adjacent building also collapsed, according to eyewitnesses, raising further concerns over the structural safety of buildings in the area.
