New Delhi, Sep 2026 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has blamed alleged government and civic negligence for the collapse of a four-storey building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area and demanded immediate measures to ensure safe accommodation for students of Delhi University.
AAP leaders, including national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi, expressed concern over the incident and prayed for the safe rescue of those feared trapped under the debris. AAP MLAs and councillors led by Bharadwaj also visited the site to assess the situation.
The party demanded that the Centre construct adequate hostel facilities for all Delhi University students. Until such accommodation is made available, it said the government should bear the rent of paying guest (PG) facilities used by students.
Kejriwal described the collapse as “extremely sad and worrying” and called for immediate rescue operations. He alleged that several such incidents in Delhi had occurred because of government negligence and urged authorities to undertake large-scale action to improve public safety.
After visiting the site, Bharadwaj claimed that local residents had informed him that around 30 to 40 young people living in PG accommodation could be trapped under the rubble. He alleged that authorities had repeatedly promised structural audits of buildings following earlier incidents but that effective action had not followed.
Bharadwaj also levelled serious allegations of corruption against officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), police and fire department, claiming that building owners were being subjected to illegal demands for money. He alleged that buildings were sometimes sealed for violations and later reopened after financial arrangements were made.
He further alleged corruption in transfers and postings within the building department and claimed that such practices undermined enforcement and building safety. These allegations could not be independently verified.
The AAP leader also alleged that the Satya Niketan building was undergoing unauthorised basement-related construction. He compared the incident with the earlier collapse of a four-storey building in Saidulajab, where, he claimed, complaints had been made regarding basement construction but no timely action was taken.
Atishi called the incident deeply distressing and said the government should ensure that rescue operations were conducted with urgency to bring everyone trapped under the debris to safety. She demanded a high-level investigation and strict action against those found responsible for negligence.
AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar and other party leaders also blamed what they described as long-standing corruption within the MCD for repeated building-related accidents in Delhi. They alleged that authorities often suspend lower-level officials after incidents while failing to hold senior officials accountable.
MCD Leader of Opposition Akush Narang said the collapse exposed alleged failures in identifying and acting against dangerous structures. He demanded an impartial investigation and accountability for officials responsible for any lapses.
AAP MCD co-in-charge Praveen Kumar similarly alleged that building safety regulations were being compromised because of corruption and called for the resignation of the mayor.
The AAP leaders collectively demanded a transparent investigation, strict enforcement of building norms and stronger safety mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies in the national capital.
