Eighteen-year-old Delhi University student Arpit Jai was among seven people killed after a five-storey paying guest (PG) accommodation collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on September 6. Days after the tragedy, his parents donated his corneas at AIIMS, giving others the possibility of sight. Arpit had returned to Delhi from his hometown Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, shortly before the collapse.
Police have arrested building owner Hariram Gupta and his family members, while five Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials were suspended pending disciplinary proceedings. Authorities have also ordered an inquiry as questions grow over building safety, regulatory oversight and renovation work.
A Family’s Gift Amid Grief
Arpit, a Delhi University student, had returned to his PG after visiting his family in Dewas during the Rakshabandhan break. His father, Bhupendra Jai, recalled that Arpit had reached Delhi that morning, only for the family to learn of his death hours later. Following the postmortem, the family donated his corneas at AIIMS, allowing the possibility that they could help restore sight to others. Arpit’s friends also joined the overnight search for him before his identity was confirmed.
Questions Over Safety and Accountability
The collapse killed seven people, while 12 people were rescued during the operation, with five survivors reported injured. Investigators have focused on renovation and structural alterations reportedly carried out before the collapse, including questions over whether such work compromised the building’s integrity.
Police arrested building owner Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila and son Mahesh, while the MCD suspended five South Zone officials pending disciplinary proceedings. MCD Commissioner Sanjiv Khirwar said the civic body had “zero tolerance” towards unauthorised construction, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said those found guilty “won’t be spared”.
The Delhi High Court has also issued notice to the Centre, Delhi government and Delhi University over a plea seeking better student-hostel facilities following the tragedy.
As per the directions of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta in the Satya Niketan incident.
— CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) September 7, 2026
MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer suspended.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Arpit’s family’s decision to donate his corneas amid unimaginable grief is a powerful act of compassion, offering hope to others even as they confront an irreparable loss. At the same time, the tragedy raises serious questions about the safety of accommodation where students live and the effectiveness of inspections and enforcement.
Arrests and suspensions must be followed by a transparent investigation that establishes responsibility based on evidence, while authorities should ensure that unsafe student housing is identified before another tragedy occurs. How can Delhi make student accommodation safer while ensuring accountability and dignity for every family affected by such incidents?
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