UPSC Aspirants' Deaths: Delhi Mayor Orders Crackdown on Coaching Centres Operating in Basement

New Delhi: Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Sunday ordered action against coaching centres being operated from basement in the national capital, a day after three UPSC aspirants drowned at a flooded basement at Rau's IAS coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar.

She has directed that those carrying out commercial activities in basements will meet with strict actions.

The MCD commissioner has been directed to take strict action against all such coaching centres across Delhi which are under the jurisdiction of MCD and running commercial activities in basements, which she said are in violation of building bye-laws and are not as per norms.

She also called for an investigation to find out whether any MCD officers were responsible for the tragedy.

"Yesterday some students were trapped in a private coaching institute being run in Rajinder Nagar due to flooding and out of them three students lost their lives. This is very shocking. This incident needs thorough investigation and swift and strongest possible action," news agency PTI quoted Oberoi as saying.

"It is also our responsibility to ensure that such an incident does not recur in any part of Delhi," the mayor said, adding "If any official is found guilty, strongest possible action be taken against them," she said.

Coaching Centre Owner, Coordinator Detained

Meanwhile, two people, institute owner and coordinator, have been detained in connection with the case.

Heavy police forces have been deployed outside he coaching centre as students continued to protest against the deaths and over negligence, seeking justice.

Rau’s IAS study circle runs different courses for UPSC aspirants. It is learnt that the institute charges a whopping Rs 1,75,500/- for GS foundation course. The courses that they offer include GS foundation course, Optional course, CSAT course and Mains test series.

Earlier on July 23, another UPSC aspirant Nilesh Rai lost his life after getting electrocuted in the nearby Patel Nagar area. He was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire.