New Delhi: A Patiala House Court on Wednesday granted two days of police custody to three accused in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse case, in which seven people were killed.

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Kautuk Bhardwaj granted the custody of building owner’s son Mahesh Gupta, contractor Sanoj Kumar and PG operator Sudhanshu after hearing an application filed by the Delhi Police seeking three days of custodial remand.

Mahesh Gupta was produced before the court after completing two days in police custody, while Sanoj Kumar and Sudhanshu were produced following their fresh arrests.

The Delhi Police sought further custody to investigate the case and apprehend another PG operator, Shubham Tyagi.

During the proceedings, Sudhanshu’s counsel requested that the hearing be conducted in camera, arguing that the case was being turned into a “media trial” and objecting to the presence of journalists. The court subsequently directed the media to leave the courtroom.

After hearing the submissions of the Delhi Police and defence counsel Yashpal Singh, the court granted two days of police custody to the three accused.

A five-storey building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan collapsed on September 6, killing seven people. Rescue operations have since been completed. According to officials, 12 people were rescued from the site, seven of whom died.

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Earlier arrests

On September 7, Mahesh Gupta was remanded to two days of police custody by the Duty Magistrate of Patiala House. His parents, Hariram Gupta and Urmila Gupta, were remanded in judicial custody.

The three were arrested in connection with the building collapse. The Delhi Police had sought custodial remand for Mahesh Gupta and 14 days of judicial custody for his parents.

According to the police, the electricity connection for the building was in Hariram Gupta’s name, while his son Mahesh was managing the property. The property itself was registered in the name of Urmila Gupta.

Police said the property was being managed and operated by Hariram Gupta and Mahesh Gupta. Hariram, 81, is a retired Sergeant of the Indian Air Force, while Mahesh, 52, runs a hardware and paint shop.

The police are also examining the role of PG operators and labour contractors associated with the property. Searches are underway for other persons whose involvement may emerge during the investigation, officials said.

The police said the mortal remains of the seven deceased had been handed over to their families.

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