New Delhi:
Absence of drainage system and illegal construction for commercial activities led to the death of three UPSC aspirants in Delhi. The incident has sparked a political blame-game with the BJP demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Here are 10 updates about the Delhi coaching centre flooding:
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BJP leaders and workers today staged a protest near the AAP office in Delhi, demanding resignation of the Arvind Kejriwal government as Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva termed the deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre a “murder”.
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“This is not an accident, it’s murder,” alleged Mr Sachdeva during the protest. “Strict action must be taken against officers responsible for the death of these students. Whether they are from the MCD or any other agencies, they should be hanged.”
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The Congress also raised the issue in the Parliament today. Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss “Accountability for Delhi’s infrastructure tragedies and tragic losses”.
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The Delhi Police yesterday arrested the owner and the coordinator of the coaching centre – Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar – and booked them for culpable homicide. They have been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court.
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A horrifying incident unfolded at a coaching centre in Delhi after heavy rain on Saturday, when water gushed into its basement – being used as a library in violation of rules. Several students were trapped and three died in the waterlogged basement.
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Three students – Shreya Yadav (25), Tania Soni (25), and Navin Delvin (28) – were indeed left behind and their bodies were recovered after a seven-hour long rescue operation.
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The absence of a drainage system and safety measures, and the use of the basement for commercial activities in violation of norms, led to the tragedy, officials say. The coaching centre had permission to use the basement as a store room, but it was being used as a library, show certifications issued by Delhi civic body MCD.
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The storm drains in the area were obstructed by encroachers and heavily silted, leading to a flood-like situation.
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Several videos of the incident went viral on social media in which some students are seen trying to save themselves from drowning after rain water flooded the basement of the coaching institute.
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One of the videos shows many students rushing out of the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in west Delhi. Water was gushing down the stairs as the students waded through water, it showed. Another video shows the main entry gate of the coaching centre falling due to excessive rainwater.
