A paying-guest accommodation in Delhi’s Chirag Delhi area was evacuated late at night after a large crack was noticed in the four-storey building, prompting authorities to move students out as a precaution.

The development comes just days after a PG building collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people, including five students and two labourers.

Students shifted to temporary accommodation

Following an inspection, the front and back gates of the Chirag Delhi PG were sealed.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the large crack was noticed the previous night and the local administration evacuated the students as a precautionary measure.

Male students were shifted to Bhagat Singh College, while female students were moved to the Vocational College, according to the minister.

The administration also assured the students that they would receive help in retrieving their belongings and security deposits.

Crack and structural damage found inside building

The building showed visible signs of damage, with chunks of cement and debris scattered across the floor. Parts of the structure appeared damaged, while exposed wiring was also visible.

Water seepage and damp patches were reported on the walls and ceiling. A large crack near the main gate was seen extending upwards towards the top of the building, with damaged and chipped plaster around it.

Delhi steps up scrutiny of PG accommodations

The evacuation has come amid increased attention on the safety of student accommodation in Delhi following the Satya Niketan building collapse.

The Delhi government is working on legislation to regulate paying-guest accommodations. The proposed framework includes mandatory licences, police and civic clearances, unique registration numbers and a government portal listing verified PGs.

The proposed measures also include CCTV cameras at entrances and common areas, visitor registers, security guards for larger PGs and wardens who can respond during emergencies. The government is also considering provisions related to rent, security deposits and eviction notices.

Crackdown on illegal construction

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a crackdown on illegal construction, with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi carrying out demolition drives and increasing inspections of PGs and hostels.

Officials are also examining building records to determine when unauthorised construction took place and which agency or official had jurisdiction at the time.

The action follows the Satya Niketan collapse, where construction and building permissions have come under scrutiny. Preliminary reports have identified structural vulnerabilities, ongoing work and possible unauthorised construction as areas of investigation.

Police to engage with students

The Delhi Police has separately directed senior officers to regularly interact with students staying in PGs, rented accommodation and other forms of student housing.

Police officials have been asked to address concerns related to security, harassment, women’s safety and accommodation, while coordinating with civic and other agencies when required.

Areas with a high concentration of colleges, universities and PGs have been identified as priorities. Police officials have been directed to submit an action-taken report by September 20.

Political exchange over Chirag Delhi evacuation

The Chirag Delhi evacuation also triggered a political exchange. Sood criticised former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and accused him of trying to politicise the issue.

Sood said Bharadwaj had been the area’s MLA for 10 years and questioned accountability over a hostel allegedly operating in a building with cracks.

In a historic initiative for media and education, Delhi University’s prestigious Hansraj College has joined hands with APN News’ Global Foundation for Media and Innovation Institute (GFMI) and Balaji Foundation to launch industry-oriented advanced diploma courses in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation.

Earlier, an MoU was signed between Ms. Rajshri Rai, Editor-in-Chief, APN News and Chairperson, Balaji Foundation, and Prof. Rama, Principal, Hansraj College. 

On Tuesday, both launched the future-ready AI media courses in a formal ceremony. On the occasion of the launch, a special industry seminar on the theme “New Age Media and Marketing” was organised, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from students.

On the occasion, Ms. Rajshri Rai, Editor-in-Chief, APN News, Ms. Jyotsna Das Nanda, AVP-Corporate Communications, DS Group, and Mr. Abhinav Pandey, Founding Editor, The Newspinch, addressed the students.

The programmes focus on Artificial Intelligence, media, communication and digital innovation. The courses integrate media education with Artificial Intelligence to train students in new technology-based journalism, content creation and digital media. 

Along with this, courses in AI Digital Marketing, Branding and Advertising have also been launched.

The curriculum will offer Live Newsroom Exposure, Project-Based Learning and Internship Opportunities along with expertise in legal news, enabling students to enter the media world with practical experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rajshri Rai said, “The main objective of this partnership is to integrate emerging technologies into professional education like Mass Communication, Advertising, Marketing, Legal Studies and Digital Media. Under this initiative, students will be given special training in skills like AI-powered journalism, digital branding, OTT production and strategic communication, so that the gap between studies and industry needs can be bridged.”

Prof. Rama, Principal, Hansraj College, said, “Hansraj College has always believed in academic innovation and future-focused learning. Through this partnership, our aim is to give students practical exposure, new technology skills and an opportunity to connect with industry as per global trends.”

To make the courses accessible to students across the country, they will be available in both online and offline modes. Apart from classroom teaching, the programme will have special focus on internship, mentorship, career counselling, live industry exposure and placement assistance. 

The faculty comprises experienced and renowned professors.The response from students has been highly encouraging, with more than two-thirds of seats already filled and enquiries still pouring in.

The initiative is expected to become a new and pioneering model for AI-integrated media education in India, connecting education with technology, employment and the practical needs of the industry.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched a fresh attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, a 50-year-old man from Sangrur district.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was pressured by police to apologise after questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the state’s handling of the drug menace. Singh later consumed pesticide and died after being taken to different hospitals, according to Gandhi’s account.

What Rahul Gandhi said about Gulzar Singh

Rahul Gandhi described the incident as part of what he called a “dangerous pattern” emerging under the Punjab AAP government.

He alleged that people who question the government’s performance on issues such as drugs are facing threats and torture.

According to Gandhi, Gulzar Singh belonged to the Dalit community and had seen his son become a victim of drugs. He said Singh questioned the finance minister about the government’s failure to stop the drug trade.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was subsequently humiliated and pressured to apologise, following which he consumed poison. He also claimed that Singh struggled to receive treatment after being taken from one hospital to another before eventually dying.

Rahul Gandhi demands action against Punjab government

Gandhi also referred to the case of Mohanjeet Singh, whom he said he had spoken with the previous week.

According to Gandhi, Mohanjeet Singh was allegedly subjected to custodial torture after protesting against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by carrying a black flag at an event attended by the chief minister.

Gandhi said the government should respond to questions from citizens rather than suppress those raising concerns.

He called for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to demand the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and sought an independent and impartial investigation into Gulzar Singh’s death. Gandhi also demanded that Cheema’s name be registered in the FIR. These are Gandhi’s demands and allegations; the NDTV report does not establish them as proven findings.

Drug de-addiction admissions rise in Punjab

The report also cited government data showing a significant increase in admissions at state-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.

Admissions rose from 9,577 in 2024 to 25,290 in 2025, an increase of more than 164 per cent. More than 14,000 people had already been admitted to such centres by July this year, according to the data cited in the report.

The Congress has said that people in Punjab will vote out the AAP in the state election, which is due in the coming months.