Two builders arrested for Saidulajab building collapse

The Delhi Police has arrested two builders in connection with the collapse of a multi-storey commercial building in Delhi’s Saidulajab last month, which claimed six lives and injured eight others.

Police said on Wednesday that they arrested the accused, identified as Avneesh Gupta and Manish Khatri, from Vasant Kunj following an extensive search. It is alleged that the duo fled Delhi immediately after the May 30 collapse and continuously changed locations to evade arrest.

According to police sources, Gupta and Khatri first travelled to Dehradun, then moved to Manali, where they remained on the run for several days. To avoid leaving a digital trail, they allegedly avoided hotels, relied largely on public transport, and travelled on foot rather than using private vehicles or app-based taxi services. Their mobile phones remained switched off for most of the period, activating only briefly twice a day to contact family members and close associates.

Police said the two men had been associated in the construction business for several years and had been involved in building the structure that collapsed. Their role in the building’s planning, construction and structural integrity is under investigation.

When The Pioneer visited the spot a day after the building collapse, locals said the building had already been expanded by one additional floor, and construction on yet another floor was underway at the time of the incident.

The building owner, Karamveer, was arrested earlier and remains in police custody.

The collapse occurred near the Saket Metro station on May 30, triggering a massive rescue operation that continued for several days. The building housed a coaching institute, cafes and offices.