Few protesters detained; probe under way; students move President seeking action
NEW DELHI, July 28: After three aspiring civil servants died in the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a popular coaching centre at Old Rajendra Nagar, students came out in dissent against the “negligence” of the government.
On Saturday evening, three students died due to flood and waterlogging in the basement owing to heavy rainfall.
Calling the situation “complete negligence” of the government, a protestor said: “MCD says it is a disaster but I would say that this is complete negligence. Knee-deep water gets logged in half an hour of rain. My landlord said that he had been asking the councillor for the last 10-12 days that the drain must be cleaned.”
A few students were detained after they staged a protest in Old Rajinder Nagar here on Sunday, demanding action against those responsible for the deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in the area, and compensation for their families.
Raising slogans “we want justice”, the protestors blocked the road next to the Karol Bagh Metro Station, causing huge traffic snarls in the area and prompting police intervention.
A scuffle erupted between the students and police, after which a few protesters were detained and taken away in a bus. Following this, many demonstrators dispersed from the area and police resumed the traffic movement there.
The police also used body camera and drones to monitor protestors’ activities during the demonstration.
One male and two female UPSC aspirants — Shreya Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Kerala — died while a few others were trapped for several hours after water suddenly entered the basement of the coaching centre.
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) reportedly received a call about waterlogging from the Rau’s IAS Study Centre at around 7 p.m. on Saturday, after which five fire engines were dispatched to assist in rescue operations.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force were also at the spot.
“The unfortunate incident took place at one coaching centre at Old Rajendra Nagar, at the conclusion of search and rescue operations, 3 dead bodies were recovered. Their families have been informed,” Delhi Police posted on X.
Students write to Prez, demand FIR against coaching centre, MCD
In light of the unfortunate incident that happened in Old Rajendra Nagar, Civil Services aspirants have written to President Droupadi Murmu regarding the fatalities of students due to “criminal negligence” of the coaching institute and MCD officials.
They listed the grievances of the student community of the region for the President’s consideration.
Beginning with the demand for FIR to be registered against all “culprits involving RAU’s IAS, MCD, and public personnel,” they insist that the Director must also be booked under relevant sections.
Additionally, they called for a proper investigation of all basement coachings, libraries, and PGs for safety standards; and to permanently close those that exist illegally.
Further, they put forth their demand of meeting the elected representatives of the constituency and the concerned administrative officials, as well as checking the drainage, wiring and CCTV systems.
The student community asserted their demands for fixed student strength in coaching centres and libraries.
Demanding a public apology from the well-known coaching centre, they said that MCD should call the incident “murder” and not “accident.”
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Atishi has directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours on the incident.
“A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate how this incident happened. Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared,” Atishi posted on X on Saturday.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the basement housed a library where several students were present. Water suddenly started flooding the basement. Ropes were used to evacuate the trapped students, officials said.
The furniture in the coaching centre started floating when it was flooded and this created obstruction in the rescue operation, a police officer said.
Earlier this week, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant was electrocuted after he touched an iron gate following heavy rain in central Delhi’s Patel Nagar area. (Agencies)