Tragedy struck a coaching center in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar on Saturday, as heavy rainfall resulted in the flooding of the basement, claiming the lives of three students preparing for the civil services exams. The incident sparked protests from fellow students outside Rau’s IAS Study Circle, the affected institute, prompting Delhi’s DCP Central, M Harshavardhan, to urge them to refrain from demonstrations to avoid hindering the ongoing rescue efforts.
The basement, housing a library, was abruptly flooded while students were present, prompting officials to use ropes for evacuations. Rescue operations are ongoing, with water still being pumped out from the seven-foot-deep flooded basement. The Delhi Police have registered a criminal case and are investigating the incident. Forensic teams are collecting evidence, and two individuals have been detained for questioning.
Following the incident, Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi directed the Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the flooding and hold those responsible accountable.
While 13 to 14 other students were rescued from the flooded basement, the incident has sparked widespread outrage. AAP MP Swati Maliwal expressed sorrow for the victims’ families and emphasized the need for accountability and punishment for negligence.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj blamed the deaths on the negligence of the Delhi government, alleging that local requests for drainage system cleaning were ignored despite warnings of heavy rainfall. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in urban infrastructure, especially during monsoon seasons. The authorities are committed to investigating the cause of the flooding and ensuring that similar tragedies are prevented in the future.
