Students continue to protest outside Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a civil services coaching school in Old Rajendra Nagar, where three IAS aspirants died in the flooded basement of the educational institute on Saturday due to heavy rain. A protester referred to the government’s complete negligence when knee-deep water became logged during rainfall, demanding quick action against the perpetrators as well as the actual number of injuries and fatalities.
The Delhi Police has filed a criminal complaint and stated that it is determined to uncover the truth about the unfortunate occurrence in which three individuals died after the basement of a coaching institute in New Delhi’s Rajendra Nagar flooded. Deputy Commissioner of Police Central, M Harshavardhan said, “We have registered a criminal case. Our forensic teams are here. The process of collecting forensic evidence is underway. We are committed to the fact that we should have a proper investigation. We are committed to registering a strong case and finding out the truth. Two people have been detained so far.”
He further mentioned that one final round of search operations is pending and that the operation is moving towards a conclusion. “The NDRF has recovered three bodies till now. These have been sent for further legal action. The water is being pumped out continuously. One final round of search operations is pending. The operation is moving towards conclusion. Some trapped students have been rescued and three of them have been sent to the hospital. Other than the three dead bodies, 13 to 14 others were rescued and they are fine,” DCP Harshavardhan said.
Following the recovery of bodies, a group of students protested against the MCD on the spot. M Harshavardhan, DCP Central, encouraged the students not to protest since it would disrupt rescue services.
Slamming the AAP government, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva stated that corruption in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi should be investigated. “There should be an inquiry into the corruption of Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi and their government. Delhi Municipal Corporation’s corruption should be inquired. There should be an inquiry as to why the drainage was not cleaned. Will they order an inquiry into this?” he said.
On Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar Coaching Centre incident, AAP MP Swati Maliwal said, “The students are very sad and angry. It has been more than 12 hours, till now neither any minister of Delhi government has come, nor the mayor of MCD, nor any officer. I believe that these deaths are not a disaster, this is a murder, an FIR should be registered against all these big government officials. It is not yet known whether 3 have died or more have died. Compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given to all the students who have died. The minister, Mayor should come here immediately and apologise to them. Delhi will not run like this. I will raise this issue in Parliament. I will keep all the demands of students in Parliament. The students are saying that 12 days ago they had informed the councillor that the drain system here is bad, so the councillor and all the people above him should answer.”
(with inputs from ANI)