UPSC Candidate Deaths: Protests break out outside Drishti IAS in Delhi after UPSC Candidates die

Delhi LG VK Saxena addresses protesting students during a visit to the IAS coaching institute at Old Rajinder Nagar where 3 UPSC aspirants died in drowning on July 27 in New Delhi on Monday (Photo: ANI)

3 minutes of reading Last updated: Jul 30, 2024 | 11:17 AM IST

Hundreds of students protested outside the Drishti IAS coaching centre in Mukherjee Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar demanding accountability and compensation after three UPSC aspirants died due to basement flooding. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed the basements of several coaching centres amid a regulatory crackdown and safety concerns.

Flooding of the training center’s basement

On Saturday, heavy rains caused severe flooding in the basement of Rau’s Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, leading to the tragic death of three IAS aspirants – Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana and Nevin Dalwin from Kerala.

Students who were present at the training centre when the heavy rain began recall chaos ensuing when guards ordered them to leave.

“At around 6:30 a.m., the building guard came running downstairs, shouting and asking everyone to pack up and leave the building immediately because the water was coming in,” said one of the protesters. NOT.

Training centers are not allowed to operate in basements

The protesters shared their anguish over violations by the training centres, which are repeatedly ignored by the authorities. One local resident who protested with the students said that to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC), the building must be less than 15 metres high and cannot operate from a basement. Both these regulations were flouted by the training centre, raising questions as to why the regulations were not followed.

“There are exposed 440-volt wires here. Many wires are tangled and can cause a huge accident at any time,” said the protester NOT.

MCD has sealed basements of 13 training centres in Karol Bagh and 20 in Rajendra Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar for illegal activities. Authorities have initiated disciplinary action against executive and assistant engineers of Karol Bagh zone.

Protesters demand compensation and stricter regulations

Protests have erupted demanding the actual death toll be revealed. Students have also highlighted safety concerns and demanded stricter regulations for training centres. Some have demanded compensation of Rs 5 crore for the family of each deceased.

Protesters pointed to issues such as exposed 440V power lines and blocked sewer lines, raising serious safety concerns and highlighting the need to improve security measures in the basements of training centres, as well as hold higher authorities accountable.

MCD and Delhi Jal Board have been asked to address these threats.

Seven employees of the training center were arrested

Delhi Police have arrested seven people, including the owners and coordinator of a training centre, on charges of premeditated murder and other charges.

Delhi Lt. Governor VK Saxena met with protesting students. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the governor said, “I am deeply saddened by the death of 3 civil services aspirants due to flooding in the basement of a coaching centre and the death of another student due to electrocution due to waterlogging. That something like this happened in the capital of India is very unfortunate and unacceptable.”

Saxena added that the divisional commissioner has been directed to submit a detailed report on the tragedy by Tuesday.

I am deeply moved by the death of 3 civil service aspirants due to flooded basement of the training center and the death of another student due to electrocution caused by water damage. That something like this happened in the capital of India is very unfortunate and unacceptable.

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) July 28, 2024

First published: Jul 30, 2024 | 11:17 AM IST