'UPSC Coaching Deaths Eye Opener': SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance, Seeks Govt's Response

The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance in deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding in coaching centres' basement in Old Rajendra Nagar area of Delhi.

The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance in deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding in coaching centres' basement in Old Rajendra Nagar area of Delhi. The top court today expressed concern ove the unfortunate incident that took away lives of young students who joined coaching centres for their career pursuits and said this incident was an eye openers for one and all.

A division bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has sought response from Delhi government and Centre government on steps taken to ensure safety norms.

"We are not sure as to what effective has been taken so far by NCT of Delhi or Union of India. The recent unfortunate incidents taking away lives of some of the young ones who joined coaching centres for their career pursuits are eye openers for one and all. We therefore deem it appropriate to expand the scope of these proceedings as suo motu to issue notice to Union of India (through Ministry of Urban Affairs) and NCT of Delhi to show cause as to what safety norms have been prescribed so far and if so what is the effective mechanism introduced for their compliance," the top court ordered.

Justice Kant said that this is a state of affairs where a lot of young ones coming from places across the country to Delhi have lost their lives. 

It may be recalled that Delhi High Court is already hearing a petition concerning the three deaths in Old Rajendra Nagar after the basement of Rau's IAS Study circle was flooded following heavy rains.

Last week, the Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced in a press conference that the Delhi government has decided to bring in a law that would regulate coaching centres across the city. Atishi made this announcement in a press conference just days after three UPSC aspirants drowned inside a basement-library in a coaching institute in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar.

"The law will have provisions for infrastructure, qualification of teachers, fee regulation and preventing misleading advertisements. Public feedback will also be sought," she said.

The Delhi High Court has pulled up the MCD, DDA and Delhi Police over the mismanagement, corruption and "strange investigation."

The Delhi High Court has also taken suo motu cognisance in the fire safety measures in these coaching institutes.