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A tragic incident unfolded in Delhi, India, on Saturday, highlighting the dangers of negligence and safety violations in educational institutions. A coaching center, Rau's IAS Study Circle, situated in west Delhi's Rajendra Nagar, became the scene of a fatal flooding incident, claiming the lives of three students. The basement of the center, being illegally used as a library in contravention of fire safety regulations, was inundated with water, trapping the students inside.
A video, captured hours before the bodies were recovered, showcased the desperate scene as students rushed out of the flooded basement. The clip depicted the flow of water down the stairs and the students struggling to navigate through the rising water levels. A man's voice could be heard urging the students to evacuate the basement quickly, showing the urgency of the situation. However, three students - Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Navin Delvin - tragically remained trapped, their lives lost in the ensuing tragedy. A seven-hour long rescue operation was initiated, but it was too late for the victims.
The authorities, alerted to the waterlogging at the coaching center around 7 pm on Saturday, initiated an investigation into the incident. Locals pointed fingers at the area's poor drainage system, heavily clogged with silt, which they claimed overflowed due to the rainfall, leading to the flood-like situation. A separate video displayed the extent of the waterlogging outside the coaching center, with the road in front of the institute submerged in waist-deep water.
The Delhi Police, investigating the incident, registered a First Information Report (FIR) and formed multiple teams to probe the tragedy. Preliminary investigations indicated multiple lapses on the part of the coaching center's owner and the civic authorities. The Delhi Fire Services chief, Atul Garg, revealed that there was no option to de-water the basement, highlighting the lack of preparedness for such an event.
The investigation further uncovered that the three-storey coaching center, established for civil services preparation, had its building plan approved by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 2021. However, the plan falsely declared the basement as a store room, a misrepresentation that allowed the center to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department. It was later revealed that the management of the institute was using the basement as a classroom and library, a blatant violation of the NOC and fire safety regulations. This deliberate disregard for safety protocols ultimately contributed to the tragic outcome.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests from students demanding justice for the lost lives. They called for immediate action against those responsible for the deaths and compensation for the grieving families. The institute, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the students, highlighting their dedication to serving the nation. However, the statement failed to address the serious safety violations that led to the tragedy. The owner and coordinator of Rau's IAS Study Circle were subsequently arrested and charged with culpable homicide, facing serious legal consequences for their actions.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and adhering to regulations in educational institutions. The devastating consequences of negligence and the deliberate disregard for safety measures underscore the need for strict oversight and accountability in the education sector. It is imperative for authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Moreover, this tragedy calls for a review of existing safety regulations and a comprehensive audit of all educational institutions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Source: "Come Up, Quick": Video Shows Students Rushing Out Of Delhi Coaching Centre