The Delhi High Court on Monday (September 7, 2026) expressed deep concern over the safety of students living in paying guest (PG) accommodations in the Capital and directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction within a week following the collapse of a building that housed students of Delhi University-affiliated colleges.Delhi building collapse updates on September 7, 2026A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the incident was not merely unfortunate but raised serious questions about the availability of hostel facilities for outstation students, the regulation of PG accommodations and the enforcement of building norms by civic authorities.The court observed that the responsibility for such mishaps “prima facie” could not be placed solely on the owner of the PG hostel and was extended to university officials as well as the MCD, which is responsible for ensuring that construction and repairs are carried out in accordance with building bye-laws and other regulations.“These PGs are not only very dangerous, they are causing threat to the lives, security to these students,” the court remarked, while urging the government to substantially increase hostel facilities.The court noted that the collapsed building housed students studying in colleges affiliated with Delhi University, many of whom were from outside Delhi. It observed that the university does not provide adequate hostel facilities for such students, leaving them with little option but to seek accommodation in PGs and private hostels.“In Delhi, students from all over come to study,” the court observed, adding that authorities needed to “double down” on efforts to provide hostel facilities.The court directed the MCD to conduct an inspection of all PG hostels within its jurisdiction within one week and submit a report detailing whether the buildings housing such establishments were constructed with the requisite permissions and in compliance with building bye-laws, and whether any violations had occurred.The report will also have to indicate the number of students residing in each of the PG hostels.The court further directed the MCD, at the highest executive level, to enquire whether the buildings that collapsed in the reported incident had been constructed pursuant to valid permissions. If the construction is found to have been unauthorised, the civic body has been directed to identify the officials or public servants responsible for the lapse and indicate what action is proposed against them.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told the court that the government was “actively monitoring” the situation and that, as far as rescue operations were concerned, “no stone will be left unturned.”The court also asked whether there were any statutory provisions or regulations governing PG accommodations in Delhi. Counsel appearing for the MCD, Tushar Sannu, was asked to place any such regulations on record.It also directed the Delhi University to provide details of the number of outstation students admitted to its affiliated colleges and the number and capacity of hostels being operated either by the university or the government.It said there was a “very pathetic situation” with regard to the availability of hostels run by the government and the university and asked the Solicitor General to impress upon the government the need to provide more accommodation.The court also stressed the need for a statutory framework to regulate PG accommodations, observing that owners sometimes undertake construction far beyond what has been sanctioned.“There has to be some statutory regulation... to regulate these PGs,” the bench said, observing that owners may construct several additional floors even when permission has been granted for a two-storey structure, while retaining the same foundation.Expressing anguish over the casualties, the court noted that around 50 young students were at “the threshold of entering their lives” and that several had reportedly died while others remained trapped under the debris.“There can’t be anything more sad than this,” the bench said.The court also noted the petitioner’s submission seeking restraint on the circulation of videos of the incident on social media and said it would consider issuing appropriate directions.The observations came during the hearing of a petition filed by Aniket Kumar Gupta in connection with the building collapse. The petition sought ₹1 crore compensation for the families of the victims as well as a structural audit of PG accommodations and hostels.The court will hear the case again on September 25.