The absence of a proper drainage system and illegal construction in the basement for commercial activities led to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants at a Delhi coaching centre. This incident has ignited a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party planning a major protest today.
Here are 10 updates about the Delhi coaching centre flooding:
- The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticized the Delhi government, calling the incident “murder” due to inadequate drainage arrangements in the national capital. Party leaders and workers will protest outside the Aam Aadmi Party office in Delhi, demanding the implementation of safety measures and strict action against those found guilty.
- The Congress plans to raise the issue in Parliament today. Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss “Accountability for Delhi’s infrastructure tragedies and tragic losses.”
- The Delhi Police have arrested Abhishek Gupta, the owner, and Deshpal Singh, the coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, charging them with culpable homicide. A court has remanded them to 14-day judicial custody.
- The tragic incident unfolded at a coaching centre in Delhi after heavy rain on Saturday, when water gushed into its basement, which was being used as a library in violation of rules. Several students were trapped, and three died in the waterlogged basement.
- The deceased students—Shreya Yadav, aged 25; Tania Soni, aged 25; and Navin Delvin, aged 28—were recovered after a seven-hour-long rescue operation.
- Officials attribute the tragedy to the absence of a proper drainage system and safety measures, as well as the use of the basement for commercial activities in violation of norms.
- Certifications issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi show that the coaching centre had permission to use the basement as a storeroom, but it was being used as a library.
- The storm drains in the area were obstructed by encroachments and heavily silted, leading to a flood-like situation.
- Several videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, showing students attempting to save themselves from drowning as rainwater flooded the basement of the coaching institute.
- One video shows students rushing out of the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in west Delhi, with water gushing down the stairs. Another video shows the main entry gate of the coaching centre collapsing due to the excessive rainwater.
The incident has highlighted significant lapses in infrastructure and safety protocols, prompting a heated political debate and calls for accountability.
