SC Update: Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance of Delhi coaching center accident, issues notice to Centre and Delhi government

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of three students preparing for UPSC at a coaching center in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi. The court has issued notice to the Centre and Delhi government in this matter.

It is worth noting that a major accident took place in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi on 27 July. Three children died after drowning in water in the basement of Rao Academy, which prepares students for competitive exams. The library was flooded due to sudden rain in the national capital on the evening of 27 July. The deceased included two students and a female student. All three were preparing for UPSC. The deceased were identified as Tanya Soni, a resident of Telangana, Navin Dalvin, a resident of Kerala, and Shreya Yadav, a resident of UP.

What was the reason for the accident?

On 29 July, the Chief Secretary of Delhi submitted his report to the Delhi government. In this report, it was told that the Rao Coaching Institute located in Rajendra Nagar had completely blocked the drainage system. Also, there was no rescue system in the institute. Many questions have been raised in this report.

The MCD report said that the parking height of the property in which the coaching center was running was lower than the surrounding properties. In case of heavy waterlogging in other buildings in the area, a barrier wall was installed to prevent rainwater from entering the parking area and basement. The report also claimed that the security staff of the coaching center building did not keep any vigil, due to which water crossed the parking area and entered the basement without stopping.

Delhi High Court has made a strict comment

The case of the death of three students in the tragic incident has also reached the court. The case was heard in the Delhi High Court first on 31 July and then on 2 August. During the first day's hearing, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan had reprimanded the officials for the death of three students by drowning in the basement of the coaching center. The bench had made a strict comment and said that a strange investigation is going on, in which the police are taking action against the pedestrian driving the car, but no action is being taken against the MCD officials. The court had asked whether any MCD officer has been detained so far. He also asked whether the MCD officials were investigated in this matter.

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