Death of UPSC aspirants in Delhi could have been averted: How AAP-led MCD ignored student’s complaint about possibility of major accident

A month before three UPSC aspirants drowned in the flooded basement of their coaching centre, a student had written to the AAP-controlled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about the illegal use of basements as study centres and libraries.

On 26th June this year, a student named Kishor Singh Kushwah filed a complaint on the Public Grievance Portal of MCD against several coaching centres in South Patel and Old Rajinder Nagar.

He highlighted the possibility of a major accident on account of operating coaching classes and libraries in basements. The student had included Rau’s IAS Study Circle in his list of accident-prone coaching centres.

अभी ये बच्चा अधिकारी बना नहीं है लेकिन इस बच्चे के थॉट प्रोसेस में देश के तमाम आला अधिकारियों और नेताओं से ज्यादा क्लैरिटी है । अगर इसकी बात सुनी गई होती तो शायद इतनी बड़ी दुर्घटना न होती ।#rauias #RajinderNagar https://t.co/fgHncIVHux pic.twitter.com/aRz5Kq9hFO

— खुरपेंच (@khurpenchh) July 28, 2024

The complaint by Kishor Singh Kushwah read, “Despite not having permission, they are running a classroom without NOC (No Objection Certificate) in the basement. They are running test classes, which are affecting the lives of students and staff. There is a possibility of a major accident.”

Rau’s IAS Study Circle was also running a library from the basement of its building, where 3 UPSC aspirants died, without any permission.

The complaint by Kishor Singh Kushwah fell on deaf ears. He wrote again to MCD on 15th July and 22nd July, reiterating the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. However, the municipality did not take any action.

Just before the accident happened, a video from inside the library showing the water filling up.

A student named Kishor Singh Kushwah had raised concerns about the safety risks posed by basement #coaching centers a month prior to the deaths.

On June 26, he lodged a complaint… pic.twitter.com/6BbHn7z1q1

— Sneha Mordani (@snehamordani) July 29, 2024

He stated, “The responsibility for such incidents lies entirely with the administration. The government should take appropriate steps and take concrete action against such establishments.”

Following the deaths of the three students, the MCD swung into action and sealed 13 coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar for violation of rules.

Had it previously ensured enforcement of building norms, the three UPSC aspirants may have been alive today.