Satya Niketan collapse: Students demand complete data, claim peers unaccounted for

More than 150 Delhi University students began an indefinite protest on Tuesday, a day after rescue operations at the site of the Satya Niketan building collapse were officially concluded. The students said several people may still be unaccounted for and demanded that the government release the complete details of the incident.

The building, a paying guest accommodation, collapsed last week, killing seven people and injuring five others, according to the Delhi Fire Service and the Delhi Police. After a search-and-rescue operation, authorities said they had completed their work at the site. The protesting students, however, disputed this, saying the death toll may have been underreported.

“There are at least three to four students who are currently unaccounted for. There could be more. Their parents visited AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals and did not find their children there. We are trying to get the whereabouts of these students,” said Unnayan, a representative of the All India Students Association (AISA).

“There is a basement which has not been evacuated yet. There might still be labourers inside,” he alleged.

The students also said that families and friends of some victims were being allowed into the AIIMS Trauma Centre without proper identification, adding to the confusion and distress for families searching for missing relatives.

The protesters have submitted a list of demands. These include compensation of ₹1 crore for each victim’s family, a safety audit of all PG accommodations in the area, legal action including imprisonment against those found responsible for building violations, and hostel facilities for displaced students.

Meanwhile, the lanes of Satya Niketan, usually crowded with students, were dotted with suitcases and large bags on Tuesday as hundreds of students began vacating their PGs. This followed directions to remove occupants from buildings that have been deemed unsafe as part of a drive against illegal constructions.

Students said those living in PG buildings with four or more floors were being asked to vacate first, as such structures are expected to face demolition. The area, which is close to Delhi University’s South Campus, is densely packed with PG accommodations that house thousands of students.

Several students who were away when the collapse occurred had friends or relatives arrive to collect their belongings. “My niece got admission to Maitreyi College a month ago, and she shifted to a PG here. Her parents are in Guwahati and they could not come here so quickly. I got a call from them and rushed to take her and her belongings back,” said one relative.

The sudden move has created uncertainty for many students, with some alleging that they had not received security deposits or refunds for rent already paid. For most, the immediate challenge is finding a safe and affordable place to live, even as questions remain about the structural safety of other buildings in the neighbourhood.

The authorities have not yet commented publicly on the students’ specific allegations. The police and fire service had earlier said the search operation was thorough and all reported missing persons were accounted for. Further details on the cause of the collapse are awaited.