Three Aspirants Die as Coaching Centre Basement Floods in Delhi

Three civil services aspirants have died after the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, central Delhi, was flooded following heavy rain, officials reported. The Delhi Fire Department (DFS) received a call about waterlogging at Raus IAS Study Circle around 7 pm on Saturday. The caller indicated that some people might be trapped in the flooded basement.

A fire department official stated that five tenders were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, they found the basement completely submerged. During the rescue operation by the NDRF, local police, and fire department, the bodies of two female students and one male student were recovered. The identities of the deceased have not been disclosed.

Protests and Political Reactions

Students protested against the authorities over the deaths, chanting slogans. Revenue Minister Atishi instructed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate how this incident happened. Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared," Atishi posted on X.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj visited the site, blaming the AAP administration for neglecting repeated appeals by locals 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 said.

Rescue Efforts and Challenges

The rescue operation continued past midnight. Preliminary investigations revealed that the basement housed a library where several students were present when water started flooding in suddenly. Officials used ropes to evacuate trapped students. A police officer noted that floating furniture obstructed rescue efforts.

Earlier this week, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant was electrocuted after touching an iron gate with electricity running through it due to heavy rain in Patel Nagar, central Delhi. BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa claimed that 18 people were still trapped, but there was no official confirmation.

Local Concerns and Accountability

Swaraj mentioned that divers had to be called in for the rescue operation. She criticised AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak for ignoring locals' requests to clean the drains over the past week. "Arvind Kejriwal, Durgesh Pathak and the AAP government are entirely responsible for this incident," she said.

Authorities are investigating how the basement flooded so quickly, trapping people inside. DCP Central Delhi M Harshavardhan told reporters, "It appeared that the basement got flooded very fast due to which some people were trapped inside."

Revenue Minister Atishi has directed an immediate inquiry into the incident. The investigation aims to determine responsibility and prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.

The tragic deaths of these aspirants highlight significant concerns about infrastructure maintenance and emergency response in central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area.