PIL Filed in Delhi HC Seeks In-Depth probe into Death of Civil Services Aspirants Due to Water Logging at Delhi Coaching Centre
(Judicial Quest News Network)New Delhi, 31, July 2024
In a dramatic development, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed with the Delhi High Court, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the tragic deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in Delhi’s Rajendra Nagar. The petition seeks a high-level probe into the incident, which occurred due to severe water logging at the coaching facility.
The matter was brought to the court’s attention by Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh. He highlighted the urgency of the situation, prompting Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gadeela to schedule a hearing for tomorrow. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan has stipulated that if the necessary files are in order by 12:30 p.m. today, the case will be reviewed promptly.
An organization named as “Kutumb” filed the PIL, accuses various authorities of negligence and corruption. It names the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) as parties to the case. The petition asserts that the incident is emblematic of broader failures in civic administration in the national capital.
According to an NDTV report, the tragedy unfolded at a building housing a branch of the IAS Study Circle, a renowned coaching institute for civil service exams. The victims have been identified as Tanya Sony, 25; Shreya Yadav, 25; and Naveen Delvin, 28.
The PIL includes several key demands. It calls for the establishment of district-level committees throughout the national capital to investigate and address illegal commercial constructions. Additionally, it seeks directions for authorities to submit an action-taken report concerning previous directives related to a similar fire incident at a coaching centre in Mukherjee Nagar. Furthermore, the petition demands the formation of a committee to scrutinize coaching institutes operating illegally and not adhering to prescribed norms.
In response to the incident, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakhs for the families of the deceased aspirants. He has also pledged swift action against the officials from Delhi Fire Services and the MCD deemed responsible for the lapse.
The case underscores a growing public outcry over safety regulations and accountability in Delhi’s educational institutions, reflecting broader concerns about the effectiveness of civic governance in the capital.
