Delhi HC to Hear PIL Seeking Probe into the Deaths of UPSC Aspirants in Rajendra Nagar Flood

The Delhi High Court is likely to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a high-level probe into the Rajendra Nagar incident that resulted in the deaths of 3 UPSC aspirants.

The PIL was mentioned today by Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh before a bench composed of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who said that the matter will be listed tomorrow if the plea is in order by 12:30 PM.

What Does the PIL Seek?

Kutumb, an NGO, filed the PIL in the High Court for a high level probe into the Rajendra Nagar incident. The plea also seeks a direction for a district-level committee to be constituted in each district of Delhi to investigate and compile a report of coaching institutions operating illegally.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a coaching institute for civil service aspirants, in Rajendra Nagar on Saturday evening after heavy rains. The institute’s library and reading hall were situated in the basement—illegally, according to government officials—which got flooded following the heavy downpour.

According to the police investigation, the reasons for the incident are attributed to a lack of a drainage system and safety measures in the basement that was being used illegally for commercial activities in violation of norms and the failure of civic authorities in clearing the roadside drain before the start of monsoon.

Police arrested the coaching centre’s owner and coordinator on July 28. They have been booked under culpable homicide and other charges.

The three aspirants who died in the incident were identified as 25-year-old Tanya Soni hailing from Telangana, 25-year-old Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, and 28-year-old Navin Delvin from Kerala.

Government’s Response

The office of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi announced that Rs. 10 lakhs will be given as financial compensation to the families of the three aspirants. Further, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena assured action against the erring officials of Delhi Fire Services (DFS), Delhi police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) within 24 hours.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on X that they have constituted a committee to inquire about the incident, who will look into the reasons, fix responsibility, and recommend measures and policy changes. 

The committee, composed of the Additional Secretary, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs of India, Special CP of Delhi Police, Principal Secretary (Home) of the Delhi government, Fire Advisor, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs as Convener, will submit a report in 30 days.