India News

Delhi building collapse triggers protests, questions over student housing safety

The Satya Niketan building collapse near Delhi University’s South Campus has raised questions over PG safety and student accommodation.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

A building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area near Delhi University’s South Campus has renewed concerns over the safety of accommodation used by students. The building had reportedly been vacated nearly a year ago, but PG accommodation resumed at the property around two to three months before the collapse.

The incident has prompted questions about how the property was occupied again and whether adequate structural and safety checks were carried out before people were allowed to stay there. Delhi Police is registering a case in connection with the collapse and is looking for the property’s owner, identified as Anand Bansal.

Building had been vacated earlier

According to the information reported so far, the building in Satya Niketan had been vacated about a year before the collapse. However, PG accommodation reportedly restarted at the property two to three months ago.

The development has raised questions about the process through which the building was allowed to be occupied again and whether the necessary structural safety checks were conducted.

The Delhi Police has initiated action in connection with the incident and is looking for the property owner. Rescue and relief operations were launched after several people were feared trapped beneath the debris. Teams from the NDRF and Delhi Police reached the location following the collapse.

Student accommodation safety comes into focus

Satya Niketan and surrounding areas are home to a large number of Delhi University students. With university hostels offering limited accommodation, many students depend on private paying guest facilities or rented properties.

The cost and availability of such accommodation can be a significant concern for students, while the collapse has now brought the question of safety standards in private student housing back into focus.

The incident has also raised broader questions about the checks carried out on buildings being used as PG accommodation, particularly when a property has previously been vacated.

Student groups join rescue operations

Student organisations reached the site soon after news of the collapse emerged.

DUSU President Aryan Maan visited the location and took stock of the situation. He also spoke with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the Delhi Police Commissioner over the phone regarding the incident and rescue operation.

ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Solanki also reached the site with other workers. ABVP members assisted the NDRF and Delhi Police during the rescue operation.

The organisation also had representatives at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and AIIMS to assist those affected by the incident. ABVP had separately organised a protest outside the MCD office and demanded the resignation of the MCD Commissioner.

NSUI stages protest over safety concerns

NSUI President Vinod Jakhar also visited the site and questioned the government over alleged lapses in safety standards.

NSUI workers staged a protest at the location but were later removed by police. Members of the organisation also participated in rescue-related efforts, while Jakhar visited AIIMS to meet injured people.

The organisation’s election in-charge Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the government over the incident while stating that NSUI workers were working to assist those affected.

Satya Niketan collapse becomes DUSU election issue

The building collapse has occurred ahead of the Delhi University Students’ Union elections, adding another issue to the political contest between ABVP and NSUI.

Both student organisations have also released helpline numbers through their social media platforms and asked their workers to remain deployed at hospitals to assist students and families.

The Satya Niketan incident has therefore put two issues in focus: the safety and affordability of private accommodation for Delhi University students and accountability over buildings being used for such accommodation.

With DUSU elections approaching, student safety and housing conditions are also expected to remain part of the political discussion on the campus.

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India News

LPU students protest over reported rape allegation, police call it rumour

Students at Lovely Professional University protested over a reported rape allegation involving a worker, with police describing the claim as a rumour.

Published

6 hours ago

September 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab staged a protest after an allegation involving the reported rape of a student by a worker at the university surfaced.

The protest led to disruption around the university, with students taking to the streets and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, according to the report.

The allegation triggered anger among students, who demanded action over the reported incident.

Police describe rape claim as rumour

Police, however, described the rape claim as a rumour, indicating that the allegation had not been established as a confirmed incident.

The distinction is important because the reported sexual assault allegation should not be treated as a confirmed rape unless investigators or other authoritative sources establish that fact.

The protests nevertheless continued as students sought clarity and action over the issue.

Protest disrupts traffic

The student demonstration also affected traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. The protest brought attention to the allegations and the concerns being raised by students at the university.

With police calling the claim a rumour, further verification and investigation would be necessary to establish what actually happened.

India News

INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

18 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise.

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process.

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt.

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously.

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting.

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

India News

“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

19 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.