Delhi IAS Coaching Center Tragedy: Violations Exposed! Fire NOC Specifies Basement Was Meant for Storage
New Delhi: Three civil service aspirants lost their lives when the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, flooded following heavy rains on Saturday. The tragic incident has raised serious questions about the misuse of the basement and fire safety compliance at the coaching center.
Fire NOC Violations
According to the Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the coaching center, the basement was supposed to be used solely for storage as per building bylaws. However, it was being used as a library, which contravenes the stipulated guidelines. This misuse of space likely contributed to the severity of the incident.
Emergency Response and Initial Investigation
Officials from the Delhi Fire Department confirmed to news agency PTI that they received an emergency call about a flooded basement around 7 PM, with the caller indicating that people might be trapped inside. Upon arrival, fire department personnel found the basement already inundated with water.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan informed reporters that they were investigating the cause of the rapid flooding, which led to several individuals being trapped. A search operation conducted by Delhi Police, fire officials, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) eventually located the three students, one male and two females, who were found deceased. Efforts to pump water out of the basement were ongoing.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
The rescue operations were significantly hindered by floating furniture in the flooded basement, necessitating the use of ropes to evacuate trapped students. Despite the challenging conditions, the rescue teams managed to retrieve several individuals, though the three victims could not be saved.
Student Protests and Public Outcry
In the aftermath, students protested against the authorities, blaming them for the deaths of the aspirants. The demonstrations, which continued into early Sunday, highlighted the anger and frustration among the student community over the apparent negligence.
Government Response and Accountability
Revenue Minister Atishi directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to conduct a magisterial inquiry and provide a report within 24 hours. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of this incident. Those responsible will be held accountable," Atishi posted on X.
Political Reactions and Blame
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj visited the site and attributed the tragedy to the AAP administration's negligence. They criticized the local MLA for ignoring repeated requests from residents to clean the 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 asserted.
This tragic incident underscores the critical need for strict adherence to fire safety regulations and proper use of building spaces. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and preventing such devastating occurrences in the future.
