Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants caused by waterlogging in the basement of a coaching center in Rajendra Nagar have triggered a massive protest by students. Paramilitary forces have been deployed to manage the escalating situation as students blame municipal authorities for negligence.
The incident took place at a building housing a branch of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a prominent coaching institute. The library, situated in the basement, had only one entry-exit point and flooded following heavy rainfall yesterday. At least 20 students were present in the library at the time.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M Harshavardhan confirmed a criminal case has been registered. “Our forensic teams are on site. We are dedicated to a thorough investigation and uncovering the truth. Two individuals have been detained,” he stated.
“The NDRF has recovered three bodies so far, and one final search round is underway. Three students have been hospitalized, and 13-14 others have been rescued and are safe,” he added. Charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence have been invoked.
Protesting students have condemned civic authorities. “If this is the result of just 30 minutes of rain, who is accountable? No one has approached us or offered any assurances. Who will take responsibility?” one protester demanded.
Some students claimed that the main culprits are the MCD and the institute’s director. “The MCD calls it a disaster, but it’s negligence. Knee-deep water accumulates in half an hour of rain,” a student told ANI.
The victims have been identified as Tania Soni, 25, Shreya Yadav, 25, and Navin Delvin, 28.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi described the incident as “very shocking” and called for a “thorough investigation” and “swift and strongest possible action.” She has ordered a crackdown on all coaching centers operating commercial activities in basements illegally under the MCD and launched an inquiry to determine any MCD officer’s responsibility in the Rajendra Nagar incident.
In the wake of the tragedy, the BJP has harshly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, which also controls the MCD. “This is a failure of the government and municipal corporation. This is the most insensitive government ever in this country. This is murder,” BJP spokesperson Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
The BJP has targeted Delhi Minister Atishi and local MLA Durgesh Pathak. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva accused Pathak of ignoring repeated appeals by local residents to clean drains.
“Delhi Government’s criminal negligence is responsible for this mishap. Jal Board Minister Atishi and local MLA Durgesh Pathak should take responsibility and resign,” Sachdeva stated.
Pathak responded by questioning the BJP’s actions over the past 15 years. “This is a low-lying area with a water line. Some drain has cracked, causing the flooding. Teams are working on it,” he told ANI.
“The BJP must also answer. For the past 15 years, this area had a BJP councillor. Why wasn’t the drain fixed? All drains cannot be made in one year. Politics should not be played over this incident,” Pathak asserted.
