Last Saturday, three UPSC aspirants lost their lives in a tragic incident at Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The deaths occurred when heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the basement of Rao IAS Study Circle, a prominent coaching center. The victims, identified as Shriya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Nivin Dalvin from Kerala, and Tanya Soni from Telangana, died due to the negligence of both government and civic authorities.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, during intense rainfall in Delhi. The Rao IAS Study Circle, located in a basement, was quickly flooded as stormwater surged in. The three students, who were studying in the basement, were trapped by the rising water levels and tragically drowned. This event has sparked widespread outrage and questions about the safety measures and the accountability of the involved parties.
The flooding in the basement was attributed to several key factors, primarily the failure of the civic authorities, particularly the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Reports indicate that the MCD had not cleared the roadside drains, nor had they desilted the stormwater drains in preparation for the monsoon season. This negligence led to water accumulating and flooding the basement area.
Moreover, it was revealed that the basement of Rao IAS Study Circle was being used for illegal commercial activities, including hosting classes and libraries, without the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC). A complaint had been lodged by a student about a month prior to the incident, highlighting the illegal use of the basement and accusing senior MCD officials of corruption and allowing these activities in exchange for bribes.
In response to the incident, Delhi’s government and political parties have been quick to engage in a blame game. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which controls the Delhi government, has blamed the MCD and its officials for the tragedy, citing a lack of response to their directives. AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have argued that their orders to clear the drains and inspect illegal activities were ignored by bureaucrats, attributing this to an ongoing power struggle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been critical of the AAP’s handling of the situation, has accused the AAP of failing to govern effectively. The BJP has pointed to the incident as evidence of the AAP’s governance failures, highlighting the broader issue of illegal coaching centers and the exploitation of students.
The tragedy has led to significant unrest among the student community in Old Rajinder Nagar, a hub for UPSC aspirants. Students have been vocal in their demands for accountability and have protested against the MCD and the Delhi government. They have called for immediate action, including a high-level investigation and compensation for the families of the deceased.
The students have also criticized prominent UPSC coaching centers and their owners, who they allege have turned a blind eye to safety regulations while profiting from the aspirants. This incident has brought to light the broader issues of unsafe and illegal accommodations, exploitative practices by coaching centers, and the lack of regulatory oversight in areas like Old Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar, which are densely populated with students.
In the wake of the incident, the authorities have arrested the owner and coordinator of Rao IAS Study Circle, the building owner, and even the driver of an SUV, whose actions were deemed to have contributed to the gate collapse that allowed water to flood the basement. However, there has been criticism that these arrests target low-level figures while the senior officials responsible for regulatory oversight remain unpunished.
The MCD has taken some action by sealing 13 coaching centers and clearing some encroachments. However, these measures have been seen as reactive and insufficient by many, including student activists who demand systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
