The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed the basements of 13 civil services institutes in the Old Rajinder Nagar area on Sunday, following the deaths of three civil services aspirants. These aspirants died after a library in the basement of Rau’s IAS centre was inundated during heavy rainfall. A civic body team arrived in Old Rajinder Nagar to seal the illegally operated basements of various coaching centres, as stated by the Delhi government.
The MCD’s action against properties violating building bylaws followed massive student protests in Old Rajendra Nagar on Saturday night and Sunday. Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala lost their lives when the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle flooded after heavy rain on Saturday evening.
An initial investigation into the incident revealed a lack of drainage system and safety measures, and the use of the basement for commercial activities in violation of norms, which led to the death of the three aspirants.
Delhi’s Coaching Centre Deaths: Top Updates
- On Sunday, Delhi Police arrested Abhishek Gupta, the owner, and Deshpal Singh, the coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, charging them with culpable homicide and other offenses.
- The MCD sealed the basements of IAS Gurukul, Chahal Academy, Plutus Academy, Sai Trading, IAS Setu, Topper’s Academy, Dainik Samvad, Civils Daily IAS, Career Power, 99 Notes, Vidya Guru, Guidance IAS, and Easy for IAS by Sunday night.
- An FIR was registered at Rajinder Nagar police station under sections 105 (culpable homicide) and 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing, or constructing buildings), among others, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- According to the FIR, Abhishek Gupta admitted there was no drainage system in the basement of Rau’s IAS coaching centre, leading to the death of three aspirants, as reported by PTI.
- A senior official involved in the investigation indicated that the incident was caused by the failure of civic authorities to clear the roadside drain before the monsoon and the lack of a drainage system in the basement, which was illegally used as a library. Multiple police teams have been formed to investigate the actual cause.
- More than 35 people, including students and coaching centre staff, were trapped on Saturday evening when water began flooding the basement during heavy rain, according to a police officer.
- Hundreds of civil services aspirants protested in Old Rajinder Nagar and Karol Bagh Metro Station areas, demanding justice. Protesters blocked the road near Karol Bagh Metro Station, causing traffic jams and prompting police intervention.
- According to the MCD, the coaching centre’s building plan was approved in 2021. An MCD official stated that the building completion certificate specified the basement could only be used for parking and storage, indicating the library was operating illegally.
- The Congress called for accountability over the deaths, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that “common people are paying the price for ‘irresponsibility of institutions’ at every level.” The BJP demanded criminal charges against responsible officers and the resignation of water minister Atishi and local AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak for the deaths.
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called for a crackdown on illegal commercial operations in basements across Delhi. Senior AAP leader and MCD in-charge Pathak condemned the practice as criminal and warned that without intervention, future incidents are inevitable.
