NEW DELHI: Three UPSC aspirants tragically lost their lives after the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, flooded following heavy rains. The facility, which housed Rau’s IAS Study Circle, had reportedly converted the basement into a library and coaching area, despite official permissions only allowing the space to be used for parking and storage.
The basement was originally sanctioned for specific uses, including parking, a stilt staircase, two lifts, a lift lobby, and household storage. However, the basement had been converted into a library, where at least 20 students were reportedly present during the flooding.
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Delhi Police have filed a case against the coaching institute and the building management, including those responsible for maintaining the drainage system. “So far, we have detained the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre. Further investigation is underway,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M Harsha Vardhan. The authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage to understand the sequence of events that led to the rapid flooding.
This incident has sparked a massive protest by students. Paramilitary forces have been called in to keep the situation under control as the students accuse municipal authorities of negligence, they also demand a CBI inquiry into the matter.
MLA Durgesh Pathak of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) highlighted that the study centre did not have the requisite permission to operate a library or coaching centre in the basement. “This building only has permission for storage and parking, but they have built a coaching centre and a library inside. There are many buildings like this. I request the government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to visit every such institute and investigate,” he told a news agency.
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Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi has instructed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to launch a magisterial inquiry into the incident, with a report expected within 24 hours. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) concluded its search operations after recovering the bodies of the three deceased aspirants.
The tragedy has sparked a political blame game, with BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj accusing the AAP government of negligence. “The Delhi government’s criminal negligence is responsible for this mishap. Jal board minister Atishi and local MLA Durgesh Pathak should take responsibility and resign,” Swaraj said.