A rent agreement for the collapsed 'Hostel Daze' in Delhi reveals that students were required to sign clauses absolving the facility of all liability for casualties or risks. The contract mandated three months of security and one month of advance rent, while strictly prohibiting refunds even if students were expelled or departed early. The five-storey building, which housed students in approximately 30 rooms, was reportedly nearly 50 years old and lacked approved building plans for its height.
Investigations revealed the structure was situated on land zoned only for two-storey buildings and was not permitted for commercial hostel use. At the time of the collapse, construction work was still underway in the basement, and seven residents were killed in the incident. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has since suspended five officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of the South Zone, following the tragedy.
The Delhi High Court has ordered a high-level probe into the collapse, noting that student accommodation facilities in the city are in a pathetic condition. While the owner, Hari Ram Bansal, had recently renovated the property to house students, the building's structural integrity and legal status have come under intense scrutiny. The incident has highlighted broader concerns regarding the safety and regulation of student housing in the capital.
