Delayed rescue response and jammed networks spark controversy in Delhi's Satyaniketan tragedy

New Delhi, September 8 — The collapse of a small building in the Satyaniketan area has become a flashpoint for criticism of the Delhi administration. Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj contended that the use of a mobile‑signal jammer at the disaster site obstructed victims’ attempts to reach out for help.

He posted a short clip asking which department ordered the jammer and whether cutting off mobile service was prioritized over dispatching rescue teams. Bhardwaj noted that people trapped under the rubble often rely on smartphones to transmit their location and request assistance, and that disabling the signal heightened panic.

The leader also highlighted the lag in emergency services: while a private BlinkIt ambulance reached the scene promptly, the official government ambulance arrived after a two‑hour delay. The NDRF team, according to Bhardwaj, took two and a half to three hours to get there, and clearing the debris of the roughly 100‑foot structure consumed more than a day.

Bhardwaj demanded a transparent answer about the jammer directive, a review of the rescue timeline, and disciplinary action against officials whose decisions led to prolonged suffering for the victims.