India: 13 IAS coaching centres with illegal basements sealed in Delhi after three die in flooding incident

Coaching centres that flouted the rules and were running operations from the basements are being sealed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) - a day after three civil services aspirants died due to the sudden flooding in one of the institutes in the Old Rajinder Nagar area.MCD had sealed thebasements of 13 Civil Services Coaching Institutes, after the tragic incident at the Rau's IAS Study Circle by the time of the filing of this report.

The civic body conducted the raids across Rajinder Nagar area - known for being a hub of coaching centres, and sealed13 similar basement areas.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi took to social media to inform about the drive under which coaching institutes had been sealed. She added that the drive could be expanded throughout the capital.

"After yesterday's tragic incident, MCD has started the process of sealing all the coaching centres in Rajinder Nagar that were violating rules in the basement! If necessary, this campaign will be run all over Delhi!" wrote Oberoi in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.

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Oberoi asserted that a query would be conducted to find out if officers from the civic body were responsible for the tragedy at Rau's IAS Study Circle.

"If any official is found guilty, the strongest possible action will be taken against them," she said.

According to reports, the coaching institute violated a number of building permissions. A no-objection certificate issued by the fire department showed that the basement was to used for storage but instead, it was being used as a library.

"We have identified 8 coaching centres which are in the basement and among them we have sealed three of them...Compensation will be provided by the government...Action will be taken in the incident. A survey is being done...A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the government," said Tariq Thomas, Additional Commissioner MCD, while speaking with the students protesting against the death of 3 students in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle even as the sealing drive was continuing.

Coaching centre's statement

The coaching institute released a statement late on Sunday (Jul 28), offering condolences to the families of the deceased while offering cooperation in the investigation.

"In light of the recent tragic event involving the students of Rajendra Nagar Rau's IAS Study Circle, Rau's IAS Study Circle extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased students, Ms Tanya Soni, Mr Nivin Dalwin, and Ms Shreya Yadav. Our thoughts are profoundly with the families during this incredibly difficult time."

An FIR has already been lodged in the case and the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre have been arrested.

Meanwhile, a plea has been moved in the Delhi High Court, seeking an independent inquiry into the incident to ascertain the responsibility of MCD, the coaching centre and the Government of Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)