Delhi IAS Coaching Center Flood: 'This Is Complete Negligence' - Protesting Student Blames MCD

New Delhi: In the aftermath of a tragic incident where three civil service aspirants lost their lives, a student protester has blamed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for negligence. The basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar flooded following heavy rains on Saturday, leading to the fatal incident.

Officials from the Delhi Fire Department reported to news agency PTI that they received an emergency call around 7 PM about a flooded basement, with the caller indicating that people might be trapped inside. Upon arrival, fire department personnel found the basement already submerged in water.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan told reporters that they were investigating the cause of the rapid flooding that led to several individuals being trapped.

Student's Perspective and Criticism

A student who was part of the protest described the incident as "complete negligence" on the part of the MCD. He told ANI, "MCD says it is a disaster but I would say that this is complete negligence. Knee-deep water gets logged in half an hour of rain. Disaster is something that happens sometimes. My landlord said that he had been asking the councillor for the last 10-12 days that the drain must be cleaned... The first demand is that action should be taken against the culprits. Immediate demand is that the actual number of injuries and deaths should be told... People of disaster management told me that 8-10 people have died..."

Search and Rescue Operations

The three students, initially reported missing, were later found deceased following a search operation conducted by Delhi Police, fire officials, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Efforts to pump water out of the basement continued.

Investigation and Legal Actions

Preliminary investigations revealed that the basement housed a library with many students present during the incident. Harshavardhan confirmed that a criminal case had been registered, and two individuals were detained in connection with the tragedy. Forensic teams were on site to collect evidence and ensure a thorough investigation.

Rescue Challenges and Protests

The rescue operations faced difficulties due to floating furniture in the flooded basement, which necessitated the use of ropes to evacuate the trapped students. In the aftermath, students staged protests against the authorities, holding them responsible for the deaths of the aspirants. These demonstrations continued into early Sunday, reflecting the community's frustration and demand for accountability.