A UPSC aspirant had lodged a complaint with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and flagged that the basements of coaching centres were being illegally used as libraries and study centres nearly a month before tragedy struck and three students died due to flooding at a coaching centre.

The student, Kishor Singh Kushwah, filed a complaint on June 26 against several coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar and South Patel Nagar areas for illegally operating coaching classes and a library in basements, India Today reported.

Kushwah had stated, in his complaint, that there was “a possibility of major accident”. He had complained the Public Grievance Portal. The complainant said that Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the incident took place, was included in his list.

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The MCD, it has emerged, had only allowed use of the basement for storage and parking.

Kishor Singh Kushwah also alleged corruption and demanded strict action against UPSC coaching centres that are violating safety norms and putting students’ lives in danger, NDTV reported.

“Despite not having permission, they (Rau’s) are running a classroom without NOC in the basement; they are running test classes, which are affecting the lives of students and staff. There is a possibility of a major accident…big UPSC coaching institutes are running classes at illegal places by putting the lives of the students at risk,” Kushwah stated in his complaint.

In the reminder on July 15, he wrote, “Sir, it is a very important and urgent issue, take strict action”. In another reminder dated July 22, Kushwah wrote: “Sir, please take action, it’s (an) issue of student safety.”

Also Read: Delhi UPSC aspirants’ death: MCD seals 13 coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar – Full list here

Even after repeated complaints, no action was taken till tragedy struck. A crackdown against coaching centres took place only a day after the tragedy. The MCD on Sunday sealed basements of 13 coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar, including that of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, and nearby areas for flouting norm.

These include IAS Gurukul, Chahal Academy, Plutus Academy, Sai Trading, IAS Setu, Topper’s Academy, Dainik Samvad, Civils Daily IAS, Career Power, 99 Notes, Vidya Guru, Guidance IAS, and Easy for IAS.

Delhi coaching centre deaths

A heavy downpour on Saturday evening led to the flooding of the basement. At least 20 students, who were in the library of the IAS coaching centre, were trapped. While some of them could be rescued, Tania Soni and Shreya Yadav, both 25, and Navin Delvin, 28, died.

Also Read: Protest over tragedy: UPSC aspirants demand safety reforms after 3 die at Delhi coaching centre

The incident has sparked protests and outrage as people have accused civic authorities and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of negligence that cost the students their lives.

Delhi Police have arrested the owner and coordinator of the IAS coaching centre after the basement tragedy. They face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death due to negligence.

Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi has ordered a probe into the incident to find out if any MCD officer is involved in the negligence that led to the tragedy. She has also said all coaching centres that have violated the law would face action.