Today, On 29th July, A student from Delhi described the city’s coaching centres as “a living hell” in an appeal to the Chief Justice, citing recent deaths. The student highlighted the poor infrastructure in parts of Delhi, where residents frequently face flooding due to drainage issues and alleged negligence by the Municipal Corporation.
New Delhi: “Living a life of hell”, this is the anguished plea of a student who has written to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, calling for action against city officials and others responsible for the recent deaths of three students. These students tragically drowned in the flooded basement of a coaching center in East Delhi last week. The Chief Justice has yet to decide whether to treat the letter as a formal petition.
The student, Avinash Dubey, highlighted the inadequate infrastructure in areas such as Rajendra Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar. Residents frequently struggle with flooding caused by drainage issues and what Dubey describes as “negligence” by the Municipal Corporation. He emphasized the need to protect students’ fundamental rights.
Dubey specifically mentioned the drowning incident involving three students in the basement of a building owned by Rau’s IAS Study Circle. The basement, unlawfully used as a library, flooded due to rain, leading to the students’ deaths.
Dubey wrote,
“Because of the rain, the basement filled with water, resulting in the tragic loss of three students’ lives. Areas like Mukherjee Nagar and Rajendra Nagar face severe waterlogging every year due to the Municipal Corporation’s negligence. We often walk through knee-deep drainage water students like us are preparing for exams while living in these dire conditions,”
He further pointed out the poor maintenance of drains in these regions of the national capital, leading to roads being flooded with a mix of rainwater and untreated sewage. In some cases, this contaminated water even enters homes, adding to the residents’ plight.
Accusing government officials of indifference, Avinash Dubey wrote Chief Justice DY Chandrachud,
“Students like us are moving towards our goals by any means necessary. But yesterday’s incident proved that the lives of students are not safe. The Delhi government and Municipal Corporation force us to live like pests,”
He continued,
“Sir, it is our fundamental right to study while living a healthy life. The above incident is extremely heart-rending and worrying. Due to waterlogging, there is a serious threat to the safety and health of students studying in such centers. Students need a safe and healthy environment to study without fear and contribute to the development of the country.”
Dubey urged the top court to direct officials to take immediate and effective steps to find a permanent solution to waterlogging issues and to strengthen emergency and medical response measures.
He added,
“Proper evacuation routes should also be ensured,”
Four students, all preparing for the UPSC Civil Services examination, died after heavy rain in Delhi last week. Three of them died in the basement of a Rajendra Nagar coaching center, identified as Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav (both 25), and Navin Delvin (28). The fourth, Nilesh Rai (26), electrocuted in Patel Nagar.
Locals have blamed drains clogged with silt for the flood-like situation following the rains.
Pending the completion of the probe, seven people, including the coaching center’s owner, Abhishek Gupta, and coordinator, Deshpal Singh, were arrested and sent to custody for 14 days. They face multiple charges, including culpable homicide and causing death by negligence. Parts of the building deemed encroachments were demolished by bulldozers on Monday.
Inquiries so far have suggested multiple lapses by the owners and civic authorities. The coaching center had a No-Objection Certificate from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in August 2021 and a similar certificate from the fire department this month. These documents, claimed the building complied with existing fire safety regulations and stressed that the basement should be used according to building bye-laws. Both NoCs have now been revoked.
This morning, a Junior Engineer with the MCD sacked and a senior employee suspended. These officials worked with the maintenance department for the Karol Bagh Zone.
The opposition BJP launched a protest against the AAP. Delhi Police used water cannons to disperse BJP workers, including the party’s Delhi unit boss, Virendra Sachdeva, protesting near the AAP office. Many were later detained by the police.
The Delhi basement tragedy also sparked a row in Parliament.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor said,
“It’s a shocking situation when a brilliant student’s dreams of serving the nation are shattered, and the hopes of the family are destroyed. This matter calls for compensation, but no compensation can be enough,”
He highlighted serious issues related to violations of basic norms regarding building codes, fire safety, and flood safety in the city.
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Tharoor’s comments have raised eyebrows, given his party and the AAP, which controls Delhi’s civic body, are part of the INDIA opposition bloc.
He said,
“The corporation also has responsibility. I have seen a certificate of clearance issued on July 9. The corporation allows these people to do what they’re doing,”
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, a discussion on the students’ deaths was deferred. House Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar said this was because the Congress, the main opposition party, objected.
Earlier, Dhankhar criticized the commercial nature of coaching centers, saying,
“Coaching has become virtually commerce. Every time we read a newspaper, the front one or two pages are their ads.”
Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal, despite her current contentious relationship with the party, also served notice.
She seeks “justice and compensation” for the families of the three students.