Delhi Coaching Center Deaths: MCD Admits Failure, Meets Protesting Students

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities met with a group of students on Wednesday who have been on a hunger strike since Saturday, July 27, to protest the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in a flooded coaching center basement in Old Rajinder Nagar, Central Delhi.

MCD Additional Commissioner Tariq Thomas acknowledged the incident as a “failure” of the civic body, taking personal responsibility. He admitted that officials should have acted more effectively, stating, “This should not have happened. We should have done our duty better; there is no excuse.”

A delegation of students was transported to the MCD commissioner’s office for the meeting in a police bus. The protesting students have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.

On Tuesday, students and representatives from 15 coaching institutions met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. According to a student present, they demanded Rs 3 crore in compensation for the deceased students’ families. While the coaching center has not specified the amount, it has agreed to provide compensation.

The student added, “Coaching institute representatives requested a bridge between the institute and students for compensation distribution. The LG assured the formation of a committee including student representatives, coaching institute representatives, and government officials to inspect building norms compliance.”

In response to the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices on Tuesday to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner, and MCD Commissioner, demanding a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC also ordered a survey to identify coaching centers violating norms and to hold negligent officials accountable.