Tragic Incident at Rau’s IAS Study Circle: A Call for Safety Reforms
The Incident
On July 27, three UPSC aspirants tragically lost their lives after being trapped in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. The basement flooded due to heavy rain, leading to this devastating incident. The victims were Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Kerala.
Legal Proceedings
A Delhi court has denied bail to five individuals: SUV driver Manuj Kathuria and basement owners Tejinder Singh, Parvinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, and Sarabjeet Singh. They face charges related to the incident, including criminal neglect and abetment.
Protests and Demands
Since the incident, aspirants from various coaching centers have been staging protests and a hunger strike, demanding accountability from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and better safety measures for study facilities.
Delhi High Court’s Remarks
The Delhi High Court criticized the police investigation, calling it “strange” and highlighting the lack of action against MCD officials. The court emphasized the need to investigate the infrastructure failures that led to the flooding.
Moving Forward
This incident underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure and safety protocols in educational institutions. It also highlights the importance of holding responsible parties accountable to prevent such tragedies in the future.