Home Ministry forms panel to investigate deaths in UPSC coaching centre
News Bureau July29,2024
The Home Ministry has constituted a committee to investigate the tragic incident that took place at a coaching center in Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. Three UPSC candidates died due to waterlogging in the coaching center. The committee will identify the causes, fix responsibility, suggest measures and propose policy changes. It will have to submit its report within 30 days. Delhi Police has arrested five people including the owner of the basement in this case.
The Home Ministry has said in a post on X that the Home Ministry has constituted a committee to investigate the unfortunate incident that took place at a coaching center located in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi … The committee will include Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Principal Secretary (Home) of Delhi Government, Special Commissioner of Delhi Police, Fire Advisor and Joint Secretary. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 days.
Earlier in the day, Delhi BJP leaders and workers staged a protest near the AAP office. They demanded the resignation of the Arvind Kejriwal government over the deaths. During the protest, Delhi BJP chief Sachdeva alleged, “This is not an accident but murder.” Meanwhile, LG VK Saxena also visited the coaching hub of Old Rajinder Nagar on Monday and tried to talk to the protesting students. But after failing to pacify the crowd, he had to leave the area as the students chanted ‘Hai, Hai’.
The incident took place at the coaching centre after a nearby drain burst. It claimed the lives of Shreya Yadav from UP, Nivin Dalvin from Kerala and Tanya Soni from Telangana.
Eyewitnesses said the basement was quickly flooded with 10-12 feet of water, leaving the students with no chance to escape. A faculty member said 112 was called when the water started gushing in, but rescue teams were delayed in arriving because of traffic jams.
Meanwhile, five people, including four co-owners of the coaching centre in Rajinder Nagar – Tejinder Singh, Parwinder Singh, Harwinder Singh and Sarabjit Singh – and the driver of a car – Manuj Kathuria – have been arrested in the case and sent to 14 days’ judicial custody. Kathuria is the driver of the car that drove through a rainwater-filled road, causing the water to rise and break down the gate of the coaching centre.