EXCLUSIVE/ 3 Lives Lost, Countless Questions: Kin of Delhi Coaching Centre Tragedy Victims Seek Justice

New Delhi: coaching centre deaths in national capital that shook entire nation has left many questions unanswered with families of victims seeking answers from authorities as to how such gross negligence on part of MCD and institutes be possible that led to deaths of students who h come to Delhi to appear for UPSC, one of toughest exams in world.

On night of July 27, three UPSC aspirants, identified as Shreya Yav, Tanya Soni and Navin Delvin, died due to flooding at Rau's IAS Study Circle basement which was illegally being used as a library.

A retired police officer and far of Navin Delvin, Delvin Suresh, arrived at crime scene on Wednesday. Upon being asked wher he is hopeful of getting justice since case has been transferred to CBI, grieving far said, "Yes."

'Centres Which Build Future IAS Don't Have Any Defined Rules'

Highlighting ir woes, Navin's uncle SR Biju, who was also present outside crime spot, questioned why se coaching centres are not regulated when even Anganwi centres operating in hamlets of country have rules and regulations.

Biju said, "Anganwi centres that look after kids have defined rules but se coaching centres which build future IAS/IPS of country don't have any defined rules and regulations. We will put forward our demand before SC to bring higher institutions under regulatory law."

Navin's uncle also said that se institutes don't return to students ir cash deposits to access libraries which were supposed to be given back upon completion of ir course.

As bereaved families are still struggling to come to terms with loses of ir children, vocate, representing victims family in Supreme Court claimed that so far details on exact numbers of students who got injured in flooding incident has not been shared with m. vocate, Abhijeet Anand, also claimed that more than three lives were lost in incident however, Delhi minister Atishi h earlier claimed that three students died at flooded basement.

Meanwhile, CBI which took over probe into case arrived at scene to collect evidence on Wednesday. lawyer claimed that even after tragedy, crime spot was not sealed until August 5, day when he wrote to CBI director seeking sealing of crime spot, pointing towards possible tampering of evidence.

vocate Anand said, " parents of three deceased students have demanded a free and fair probe. Today, CBI has come to collect evidence. trial should start as soon as possible and culprits be punished accordingly."

" law doesn't allow to carry out commercial activities in basements despite which such activities are taking place in basements with help of MCD, DDA, fire department and police and that too at place which is close to Parliament. se tragedies are happening with students who are preparing for India's toughest exams. Such activities must be stopped immediately."

" coaching institutes charge lakhs of rupees from students and don't provide any facilities to students, violating human rights. re is no proper ventilation, classes are overcrowded, no proper lights. re is no mechanism to regulate institutes which are operating like mafia."

No Official Statement on Toll Yet, More Than 3 Died, Claims vocate

He ded that more than 40 students were stuck inside basement due to flooding and water level ro outside study centre rose to around four feet. He said, "So far, no official statement eir from MCD, NDRF or police have been shared with details about how many students were rescued, how many were hospitalised and how many bodies were recovered from flooded basement. He claimed that more than three students have died but no information is available about m. 

“Only RML Hospital said that 17 students were brought re and out of m, three died and no information regarding remaining 14 students was available.  re is involvement of higher officials that's why, Delhi High Court has handed over probe to CBI,” he furr said.

He furr ded that earlier this year, Delhi high court h alrey issued directions to authorities including MCD and Delhi Police to form a joint action force and crackdown on illegal constructions and basement coaching centres/libraries but no action was taken.    

vocate furr told that victims' families have demanded Rs 5 crore compensation for ir children's death and so far, no announcement has been me by any govt over how much ex-gratia amount will be paid to affected families.