The owner and coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar were arrested on Sunday following the deaths of three students due to basement flooding at the IAS Coaching Centre. The victims, two female students and one male student, were identified as Tania Soni (25) from Telangana, Shreya Yadav (25) from Uttar Pradesh, and Nevin Dalwin (28) from Kerala.
The Delhi Police have registered an FIR against the owner of the IAS Coaching Centre , Abhishek Gupta, and coordinator, Deshpal Singh, under charges including culpable homicide and negligence. Deputy Commissioner of Police M Harsha Vardhan stated that the FIR includes sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to negligent conduct and causing harm. The investigation is ongoing, with both suspects detained.
The incident has sparked outrage among students in Old Rajinder Nagar, a popular area for civil service aspirants. Protests erupted as students voiced their anger and frustration at the authorities. The Delhi Mayor, Shelly Oberoi, has ordered an immediate crackdown on all coaching centers operating in basements, citing violations of building bye-laws. She also called for an inquiry to determine if any Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials were responsible for the oversight.
Initial investigations revealed that the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, intended for storage according to its no-objection certificate (NOC), was being used as a library. On the day of the incident, the basement unexpectedly flooded, trapping several students. A seven-hour rescue operation led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recovered the bodies. The Fire Department plans to inform the Deputy Commissioner of Police and MCD to take further action against the coaching center.
This incident in the IAS Coaching Centre has highlighted the dangers of unauthorized use of basement spaces and the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in educational institutions. The families of the victims have been notified, and the community mourns the loss of these young lives.
