Delhi UPSC Aspirants’ Death: MCD Seals 13 Coaching Centres, Rau’s IAS Study Circle Says Cooperating In Probe — Top Points

Rau's IAS Study Circle mourns the tragic loss of three students due to basement flooding. The institute offers condolences, expresses commitment to investigations, and cooperates with authorities.

Three civil services aspirants died after a library housed in the basement of Rau's IAS centre got inundated following heavy rains Saturday evening (Image: PTI)

Source : PTI

Rau’s IAS Study Circle coaching centre has issued a statement condoling the death of three students in the basement after it was flooded due to heavy rain on Saturday. The coaching institute said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss of lives of three UPSC aspirants and it is "fully committed" to supporting ongoing investigations into the tragic incident. 

"In light of the recent tragic event involving the students of Rajendra Nagar Rau's IAS Study Circle, Rau's IAS Study Circle extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased students, Tanya Soni, Nevin Dalvin, and Shreya Yadav. Our thoughts are profoundly with the families during this incredibly difficult time, "Rau’s IAS Study Circle coaching centre said in a statement.

"RAU's IAS Study Circle is fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigations into this tragic incident. We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and agencies to ensure that all necessary information is provided and that the investigation proceeds with the utmost diligence," the statement added. 

Police have so far arrested the owner Abhishek Gupta and coordinator Deshpal Singh of the coaching centre in Delhi’s Old Rajender Nagar, where three students drowned in the basement after it was flooded due to heavy rain. They have been booked under charges of culpable homicide among others. Both the accused were sent to 14 days of judicial custody.

Delhi UPSC Aspirants’ Death: What We Know So Far

•  The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned AAP MLA from Delhi's Rajinder Nagar Durgesh Pathak over the incident. The NCW, in a post, said it has taken cognizance of the coaching centre incident where three students died in the Old Rajinder Nagar area of the national capital. Allegations of ignored appeals for drain cleaning are concerning. A hearing is scheduled on 02.08.2024 at 12:30 pm. Notice has been given and Durgesh Pathak, MLA Rajinder Nagar, has been directed to appear in person. Non-compliance will result in appropriate action, it said. 
• In a crackdown on Illegal coaching centres, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed 13 coaching centres in the Old Rajinder Nagar area as it launched action against illegally run classes after three IAS aspirants died as the basement of their institute got flooded following heavy rains.
• The Delhi government, in a statement, said a civic body team visited the central Delhi coaching hub to initiate action against centres operating from basements. Around 13 such coaching centres were sealed during the action till late Sunday night, including -- 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.
• "These coaching centres were found to be operating in basements in violation of rules and they were sealed on the spot and notices were pasted," the statement said.
• The Rau's IAS Study Circle, where the flooding incident took place on Saturday, has also been sealed by the police.
• The MCD had last year conducted a survey of such coaching centres after a massive fire broke out at an institute in Mukharjee Nagar, another coaching hub, in north Delhi. As per civic body officials, that survey will be used to identify the coachings flouting norms.
• "A gross criminal negligence is found on the part of the owner of the institute in ensuring safety measures as the library in the basement was running illegally and had only one entry and exit point that was biometric-enabled and got locked due to the flooding," news agency PTI reported quoting an MCD official.
• "The students could have escaped had the exit been free. The MCD only approves the building plan but if somebody misuses the basement for commercial activities after declaring it will be used for parking and storing purposes, what else can the agency do to ensure protection?" he added.
• The official said storm drains in the area, which carries excess rainwater to bigger drains, were covered by encroachers on street sides and contributed to the flooding.
• Meanwhile, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi also held a meeting of the officials in this regard and the setting up of a high-level committee after talks with the Delhi government will be announced soon.
• Three civil services aspirants -- two females and a male -- died after a library housed in the basement of Rau's IAS centre got inundated following heavy rains Saturday evening, which reportedly happened due to the failure of the single biometric entry and exit point.  Police identified the victims as Shreya Yadav of Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala.
• Police have registered an FIR in the case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 105 (culpable homicide), 106(1) (death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide), 115(2) (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt)and 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings).
• The incident sparked a Students' protest against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), who blocked the road outside Karol Bagh metro station. However, they were detained by police later.
• Members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also staged a protest outside Delhi MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s residence in East Patel Nagar over the incident.