A magistrate’s investigation into the tragic death of three civil services aspirants at the Delhi coaching center has disclosed major misconduct by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the fire department. A report submitted to the revenue minister identified multiple violations of laws and regulations.
Coaching Centre Management is answerable
The report has accused the coaching center of criminal negligence for the hazardous use of the basement and for risking the lives of the students. It also states that it was Rau’s IAS Study Circle’s management responsibility too. On July 27, three civil service aspirants lost their lives as the basement of the coaching center in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar area got flooded.
Rules regulations violations
The investigation further revealed that the MCD and the fire department were fully aware that the building’s rules and regulations were flouted and both of them failed to act. The report also criticized the MCD for not sealing the basement despite an alert that had already been issued. The probe also accused the fire department of issuing a fire safety certificate without verifying the basement had been misused. As per the report, the building was permitted for office or business purposes only but the fire department’s NOC for its use as an educational facility was lacking.
Actions suggested as per the report
Recently, MCD issued a notice for a fire incident at another institute but it was not followed up later. The investigation has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The report has also asked MCD to conduct a thorough inquiry to identify loopholes and penalize the guilty. The MCD has been also held responsible for the encroachment of the stormwater drain and avoided desilting.
(With PTI inputs)