In the aftermath of the Satya Niketan building collapse, an alleged PG agreement was revealed, which relieved the hostel from any responsibility
NEW DELHI: An alleged PG agreement signed for the very Satya Niketan building that collapsed, killing seven people, stated that the hostel would not be responsible for any casualties and would not pay compensation for injuries or damage to tenants’ belongings in cases including fire, heavy rain, earthquakes and sealing of the premises, according to a copy of the agreement. The incident has now prompted wider questions over building safety, structural compliance, regulation of PGs and accountability for establishments housing large numbers of students.
The agreement states: “In case of any personal injury suffered / loss / damage of personal belongings of the tenant due to reasons beyond the control of the P.G. vize sealing/fire/earthquake/heavy rains /other natural calamities etc., the hostel will not be liable for paying any compensation. The clauses in the alleged agreement signed by occupants of the Satya Niketan property have assumed significance following the building collapse and the scrutiny now being faced by PGs operating from residential buildings in the capital.
The alleged agreement specifically lists circumstances in which the hostel says it would not be liable for compensation, including sealing, fire, earthquake and heavy rains, as well as other natural calamities. The collapse has triggered scrutiny of the building’s construction, its use as a PG and the role of civic authorities in permitting or monitoring such establishments.
