UPSC Aspirants’ Deaths: Delhi Mayor Orders Crackdown on Basement Study Centres, 2 Detained

Oberoi’s orders followed the deaths of three civil service UPSC aspirants after the basement of a building housing a coaching centre flooded due to heavy rain in central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar (ORN) area.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi ordered action on Sunday against coaching centres operating from basements in the city.

In her statement, Oberoi noted that coaching centres conducting commercial activities in basements violate building bylaws and do not adhere to regulations.

“Strict action should be taken against them immediately,” she stated.

UPSC aspirants Delhi Coaching Centre Flooding Live Updates, July 28

In a recent development, the Delhi Police have detained the coordinator of Rau’s IAS centre in Old Rajinder Nagar and the building owner after three students, including two women, died due to flooding in the basement. This follows a criminal case being registered by the police after completing search and rescue operations early Sunday. Meanwhile, several students have gathered outside the centre, protesting and demanding immediate action against those responsible for the incident. The flooding was reportedly caused by a nearby drain bursting, leading to the rapid inundation of the basement. Delhi Minister Atishi has requested a magisterial inquiry report from the Chief Secretary within 24 hours.

Details of the Incident

The students became trapped in the basement, which served as the library of the UPSC coaching centre, where they would go for self-study. The PUSA weather station, closest to Old Rajinder Nagar, reported 31.5 mm of rain between 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Saturday. Eyewitnesses described how the basement filled with 10-12 feet of water almost instantly, leaving the students no time to escape. A faculty member mentioned that a call was made to 112 when the flooding began, but traffic jams delayed the rescuers’ arrival. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has ordered action against similar coaching centres across the city that violate building bylaws by operating commercial activities in basements.

Political Reactions

The incident has become a flashpoint in the national capital’s politics during the rainy season, with the BJP launching a sharp attack on the ruling AAP. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj visited the site, blaming the AAP administration. They claimed that the AAP MLA from Rajinder Nagar, Durgesh Pathak, had ignored repeated appeals by locals to have the drains cleaned.

My heartfelt condolences: Rahul Gandhi on basement flooding that killed 3 UPSC aspirants

The death of competitive students due to waterlogging in the basement of a building in Delhi is very unfortunate. A few days ago, a student died due to electric shock during the rains.

I express my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families.

This collapse of infrastructure is a collective failure of the system.

The common citizen is paying the price of unsafe construction, poor town planning and irresponsibility of institutions at every level by losing his life.

Safe and comfortable life is the right of every citizen and the responsibility of the governments.

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