3 IAS Aspirants Die in Rajendra Nagar Flooded Coaching Centre, Atishi Orders Investigation

Three IAS aspirants lost their lives in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar area on Saturday due to a waterlogged and flooded basement. An inquiry into the incident has been ordered.

3 IAS Aspirants Die in Rajendra Nagar after the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar area flooded following heavy rainfall. The Delhi Fire Department received a call from Rau’s IAS Study Circle around 7 PM on Saturday, reporting the flooded and waterlogged basement, according to PTI.

“The caller mentioned the possibility of people being trapped inside. We are investigating how the basement became entirely flooded so quickly, which resulted in some people being trapped,” said DCP (Central Delhi) M Harshavardhan.

A fire department official reported that five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the basement flooded. The rescue operation, involving the NDRF, local police, and the fire department, led to the recovery of the bodies of two female students and one male student.

The authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased. The rescue efforts continued well past midnight. Water is still being pumped out of the basement, where the water level remains at 7 feet, according to the top official quoted by PTI.

Students protest over IAS aspirants death

Students protested over the deaths of their fellow IAS aspirants, raising slogans against the authorities. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours on the incident.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atishi wrote, “A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate how this incident happened. Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared.”

Following Atishi’s orders, a protester expressed frustration, stating that the students wanted someone from the Delhi government to take responsibility for the deaths.

“There is no one taking responsibility. We want someone from the government to come here and take responsibility for the students who have lost their lives. How are they improving anyone’s future by tweeting or writing a letter from their air-conditioned rooms?” he said.

#WATCH | Old Rajender Nagar incident | Delhi: On Minister Atishi's order for a magisterial inquiry, a protesting student says, "There is no one to take the responsibility. We want someone from the government to come here and take responsibility for all the students who have lost… pic.twitter.com/WYVIZHZ8rb

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2024

Preliminary investigations reveal that the basement, which contained a library, was suddenly flooded while several students were inside. Officials used ropes to evacuate those trapped. A police officer mentioned that floating furniture in the coaching centre hindered the rescue operation.