Delhi High Court to Hear Plea on Rajendra Nagar Coaching Institute Flooding Incident

The Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea on Wednesday, seeking the constitution of a high-level committee to investigate the flooding incident at a Rajendra Nagar coaching institute, which resulted in the death of three civil services aspirants.

On July 27, heavy rainfall led to the flooding of the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where three aspirants—Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala—lost their lives. Following the incident, the police arrested the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre on July 28, charging them with culpable homicide and other offenses.

In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a committee to investigate the incident. The committee is tasked with identifying the causes, assigning responsibility, recommending measures, and proposing policy changes. The panel is expected to submit its report within 30 days.

The deaths have sparked significant outrage among the student community. Demonstrations have been ongoing in Central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar since late Saturday night, with students protesting against the alleged negligence of authorities in ensuring their safety and the lack of monsoon preparedness.

On Monday, hundreds of students gathered at Bada Bazar Road near Rau’s IAS Study Circle. They voiced their frustrations through slogans such as “We want justice” and “Our lives are seen as cheap.” Ayush Singh (23), a protesting student, highlighted that the area frequently experiences waist-deep waterlogging during monsoon seasons, a situation exacerbated by the recent fatalities.

Roshan Singh (26), another UPSC aspirant, pointed out the exorbitant costs associated with coaching institutes. On average, aspirants spend around Rs 1.75 lakh for a foundation or general studies course, Rs 50,000 to 60,000 for optional subject classes, Rs 15,000 for aptitude test classes, and Rs 50,000 for mock-test series. If they pass the preliminary exam, an additional Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh is spent on mentorship for the mains.

Arvind Kumar (24), who has been preparing for the civil services exam in Delhi for the last three years, criticized the poor living conditions in Old Rajinder Nagar. He mentioned that despite raising safety concerns multiple times, the authorities have not taken any action.

Kumar also highlighted the issue of “broker-raj,” where small rooms are rented out for at least Rs 15,000, with annual increases, making survival difficult for aspirants from rural areas.

The protests have seen a range of concerns being voiced. While some students focused on the negligence of urban authorities and the hazardous living conditions, others spoke about the financial burdens imposed by coaching centers and high rents. Despite the unified front of the protests, these varied issues have led to a divide among the demonstrators.

The Delhi High Court’s upcoming hearing will be closely watched by the student community and other stakeholders as they await justice and concrete measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Author: Anushka Taraniya
News Writer