Security personnel stand guard near a UPSC exam coaching centre after three civil services aspirants died when the basement of the coaching centre was flooded by rainwater, in New Delhi, Sunday, July 28, 2024.
New Delhi: Flooding in the basement of an IAS coaching institute in central Delhi on Saturday night resulted in the death of three UPSC aspirants triggering student protests and a political slugfest between the ruling AAP and opposition BJP.
The victims – a student from Uttar Pradesh, another from Telangana, and a third from Kerala – died after being trapped for four hours in the building’s basement parking that was allegedly being used as a library. The owner and coordinator of the center were booked for culpable homicide and arrested by Delhi police; they have been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
The incident comes days after another UPSC aspirant was electrocuted in Delhi. Delhi revenue minister Atishi has directed Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate a magisterial inquiry and submit a report within the next 24 hours. Additionally, the police filed cases under sections 105, 106 (1), 115 (2), 290, and 35 of the Indian Penal Code against Rau’s IAS coaching institute, the building’s management, and those responsible for maintaining the drainage system.
The three deceased have been identified as Shreya Yadav from UP’s Ambedkar Nagar, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala. They were aged between 25 and 30 years. The deaths led to night-long protests by young aspirants at the spot.
Documents showed that the building had a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department issued on July 9 this year for using the basement as a storage space. “The management of the coaching institute was using the same room as a classroom or library, which is a violation of the NOC,” Delhi fire services chief Atul Garg said.
In a statement, the institute said that they are cooperating with the authorities. “We are dedicated to assisting in any way possible to uncover the truth and ensure accountability … We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing support to the affected families and addressing any concerns,” the statement said.
The flooding took place on Saturday night, and a call was made to Delhi Police by 7pm. The NDRF also landed at the spot soon after, the body was retrieved at 10:40 pm, while the second body was recovered at 11:10 pm. The third body was found around 1 am.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi ordered action against coaching centres. She said that any coaching institute found violating permits will be dealt with strictly, as well as any officials of the MCD who were found to be responsible for the tragedy. “I have written to the MCD Commissioner to ensure strict action is taken against the coaching centre for violating building by laws. The Completion Certificate (CC) issued in 2021 clearly stated that the basement should only be used for parking or storage,” she told reporters.
The police had to call in the RAF to control the protesting students, whose numbers swelled as the day progressed. Additional deputy commissioner of police Sachin Sharma, pacifying the protesting students, said, “Three people have died. Why would we hide anything? We assure you that we will do everything legally possible. The investigation is ongoing.”
Protesting students demanded that action be taken against the Rau’s Institute management and owners as well as the MCD officials who did not take action, and also that adequate compensation be given to the families. Students also pointed at a complaint making the rounds on social media made by a student of the institute on June 26, complaining of the violation of the basement NOC and warning of any untoward accident as an eventuality.
The incident led to a political slugfest. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that this was a “collapse of infrastructure” and is a “collective failure” of the system. “The common citizen is paying the price of unsafe construction, poor town planning and irresponsibility of institutions at every level by losing his life. Safe and comfortable life is the right of every citizen and the responsibility of the governments,” he posted on X.
Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that there was a “big conspiracy”, and that despite giving evidence and complaining of corruption in de-silting, no action was taken against officers involved by lieutenant governor VK Saxena.
BJP leader Anurag Thakur said that the “failed Delhi model” is responsible for this. “What have they done to Delhi? Three young people have lost their lives … Is this the model of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP? Ask the families who have lost their young ones,” Thakur said.
Among the leaders that went to lend support to rebel AAP leader Swati Maliwal and Congress’s state unit president Devender Yadav. Students thanked them for their support, but told them that they do not wish to politicise the incident.