Magisterial Probe Slams MCD, Fire Dept for Misconduct in UPSC Aspirants' Deaths

A magisterial investigation into the deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding in a coaching centre's basement has revealed serious violations by the MCD and the fire department. The report, presented to the Revenue Minister on Wednesday, highlighted criminal negligence by RAUs IAS Study Circle's owners and management for misusing the basement, endangering students' lives.

The tragic incident occurred on July 27 when heavy rains led to flooding in the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, central Delhi. The report noted that officials from the MCD and Fire Department were aware of rule violations in the building but failed to act. The district magistrate's probe found that the building had permission for office use, not educational purposes, which required a fire NOC due to its height exceeding nine metres.

Fire Department's Oversight

The Fire Department did not report the misuse of the basement as a library during an inspection on July 1. Despite this, they issued a fire safety certificate on July 9, 2024, ignoring the basement's improper use. This oversight was deemed a significant lapse by the fire services inspection team.

On August 4, 2023, following a fire at another coaching institute in Mukherjee Nagar, the MCD issued a notice about property misuse. However, they failed to seal the basement or mention it in subsequent notices, misleading the deputy commissioner about the actual misuse. This was seen as deliberate misconduct with malicious intent by MCD engineers.

Drainage and Desilting Issues

The report also criticised MCD officials for encroaching on stormwater drains and neglecting desilting for five years. The area is prone to waterlogging due to its low-lying location, exacerbating the flooding risk. The MCD was accused of passing responsibility and failing to maintain drains near the building.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation following an order from the Delhi High Court on August 2. The probe included statements from 15 individuals, including students and various department officials. A preliminary report was submitted on July 29 after being ordered by Delhi's Revenue Minister.

The magisterial report recommended a thorough inquiry by the MCD to identify those responsible and take strict action against them. It emphasised that both departments' failures contributed significantly to the tragic incident.

The findings underscore systemic issues within municipal and fire safety regulations enforcement, highlighting a need for stricter compliance and accountability measures to prevent such tragedies in future.