The New Indian Express ·
Satya Niketan building collapse: Kiran Bedi moves Delhi HC to intervene; Centre opposes plea
NEW DELHI: Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court seeking to be impleaded in the case related to the Satya Niketan hostel collapse, saying she wanted to place "critical public domain disclosures" and details of the alleged "nexus" in the operation of paying guest hostels before the court.
A Division Bench directed the Centre, the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file their replies to Bedi's application within three days.
The court said Bedi was a "conscientious citizen" with administrative experience and observed that "The matter is in larger public interest."
The order came after Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre, Delhi government and MCD, opposed Bedi's application, arguing that she was pre-judging the matter. He sought time to file objections.
The bench said Bedi was seeking to assist the court and that her "long experience" could be utilised. It directed the respondents not to view her application "adversarially."
The application will be heard along with the main matter on September 25.
According to police, the building housing a boys' paying guest hostel near Delhi University's South Campus collapsed around 1.30 pm while repair work was underway in the basement, killing seven people, including five students.
Local residents alleged the basement was waterlogged, which may have weakened the structure.
Delhi Police has registered a case of culpable homicide, negligence in the upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.
The High Court on Wednesday described the incident as the result of "callous" and "criminal conduct", saying students came to Delhi with hopes and dreams, "but all of it has been shattered."