The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken swift action in response to the tragic incident at a coaching centre in Delhi’s old Rajinder Nagar, where three civil service aspirants lost their lives after getting trapped in a flooded basement library. A committee has been formed to thoroughly investigate the incident, aiming to understand the contributing factors, identify those responsible, and propose solutions to prevent such tragedies in the future. The committee, comprised of representatives from the MHA, Delhi government, Delhi Police, and other relevant agencies, will submit its report within 30 days.
In a show of support and acknowledgment of the devastating loss, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Furthermore, he has assured swift action within 24 hours against officials from the Delhi Fire Services, police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) who are found to be responsible for the incident. The public outcry for justice has been strong, with AAP MLAs and councillors staging a protest outside the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat demanding the immediate removal of the MCD commissioner for alleged negligence in desilting drains.
Students have also expressed their grief and outrage through candlelight vigils in Old Rajinder Nagar, demanding justice for the three UPSC aspirants. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has provided an update on the actions taken following the incident, highlighting a ‘sealing drive’ initiated by the MCD in Rajinder Nagar, targeting 13 coaching institutes. The sealing drive, which has already resulted in the closure of six coaching institutes, is ongoing in other areas like Mukherjee Nagar. In response to the incident, the MCD has also taken disciplinary action against responsible officials, including termination of a Junior Engineer and suspension of an Assistant Engineer.
While the investigation is underway and the demands for justice continue, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed the issue in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the need for coaching institutes to adhere to rules and regulations. He asserted that the tragedy should not be exploited for political gain and stressed the importance of fixing responsibility to prevent similar incidents in the future. He acknowledged the devastating loss suffered by the families and urged everyone to focus on finding solutions to ensure the safety of students in such institutions.
