In the wake of a tragic incident where three UPSC aspirants lost their lives due to flooding at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, Union Minister of State and BJP MP Harsh Malhotra has sharply criticised the Delhi government.
Malhotra has called for the resignation of Delhi Minister Atishi, holding her and the Delhi government responsible for the incident. He also challenged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, suggesting that Kejriwal's ability to govern from jail is impractical and calling for his resignation.
The incident occurred at Rau’s IAS coaching centre, where the basement flooded during heavy rains, leading to the deaths of Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nivin Dalwin from Kerala.
Malhotra has attributed the tragedy to what he describes as the Delhi government's policy paralysis and failure to implement necessary regulations. He believes that both the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are to blame for the negligence that led to the disaster.
Following the incident, protests have erupted outside various coaching institutes in Delhi, with students and residents demanding justice. The Delhi Police have arrested several individuals, including the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre, and charged them with culpable homicide. Additionally, disciplinary actions have been initiated against the executive engineer and assistant engineer from the Karol Bagh Zone of the MCD.
The Delhi police have also taken into custody the driver of an SUV involved in the incident, bringing the total number of arrests to seven. The victims’ families and local communities are seeking accountability and appropriate action against those responsible for the oversight that led to the tragedy.
In response to the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, the Police Commissioner, and the MCD Commissioner.
The NHRC has demanded a detailed report on the incident within two weeks and has called for a survey to identify other coaching centres operating in violation of regulations. The NHRC has also directed action against negligent officials who have failed to address these issues.
This tragic event has sparked a broader debate about safety and regulation in coaching centres across Delhi. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety standards and accountability among officials responsible for overseeing such institutions.
The ongoing protests and legal actions signal a push for significant changes to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure that the rights and safety of students are protected.
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