SUMMARY
- Magisterial investigation uncovers safety violations and negligence
- Tragic incident claims lives of three UPSC aspirants
- CBI took over the case following High Court criticism
A week after three UPSC aspirants tragically lost their lives when a library in the basement of Rau IAS study circle, a coaching center in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar flooded due to heavy rain. The magisterial investigation has criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the fire department for mala fide intentions and violating laws.
What report stated and who is responsible?
The probe accused officials from MCD’s building and works department of permitting the coaching centre to operate a library in the basement without adequate safety measures.
The probe report submitted to the revenue minister indicated that MCD and fire department officials observed the ‘ rule violations’ at Rau’s IAS Study Circle but failed to take any action.
The report to the revenue department was submitted on Wednesday, the investigation revealed the “owners and management” of the coaching center were also culpable for criminal negligence by precariously misusing the basement without contemplating the safety of students.
It further states that the building where the incident occurred had been permitted for office or business use, which did not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC). However, since the building was used for educational purposes and exceeded nine meters in height, an NOC was mandatory, as reported by PTI.
The report also blamed MCD officials for “encroaching” on stormwater drains and failing to conduct desilting. They accused them of passing the bucks and shirking their responsibility to cover up their failures.
Three UPSC aspirants died in Delhi, Concerns emerged and Protests follow
On July 25, three UPSC aspirants, Shreya Yadav (25) from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Nivin Dalwin (24) from Ernakulam, Kerala, and Tanya Soni (21) from Telangana, died following overflooding in the basement library of Rau’IAS Centre. The heavy rainfall caused a flood that reportedly led to the malfunction of the coaching center’s only biometric entry and exit system, trapping the students inside.
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The tragic incident has raised significant concerns about safety and negligence at the centre, prompting investigations into the management and authorities’ responsibilities. The incident also led to widespread protests from students in Old Rajinder Nagar against the mismanagement and carelessness of the officers involved.
The police reported that about 30 students were in the coaching centre at the time, with 12 to 14 students rescued and transported to the hospital, while the remaining students managed to escape. The day after the incident, Delhi police arrested two individuals namely, Abhishek Gupta (41), the CEO and owner of the institute, and DP Singh ( 60), the coordinator, on charges of culpable homicide.
Soon after the incident, the Delhi government’s revenue minister, Mr. Kailash Gehlot called for a magisterial inquiry, and a preliminary report was submitted on July 29.
CBI Takes Over Case After High Court Criticism
Following a directive from the Delhi High Court, the CBI assumed control of the case from the Delhi Police and re-registered it late on Tuesday. The court criticized both the police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over the student deaths, questioning how the students could not escape from the basement.
The Court requested an explanation for the incident, inquiring whether doors were blocked or staircases were too narrow. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who presided over the hearing, expressed frustration with the Delhi government’s failure to improve the city’s infrastructure.
A CBI team subsequently visited the coaching centre. The investigation has involved recording statements from 15 individuals, including students and officials from various departments, as PTI reported.
Also read https://test.inpactimes.com/upscs-final-judgment-on-puja-khedkars-case/
1 Comment
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