On Wednesday, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed the basement areas of ten coaching centres and libraries in Shahdara (South Zone), Karol Bagh, and Najafgarh Zone due to violations of building regulations. This move follows the tragic drowning deaths of three IAS aspirants who were caught in a basement flood caused by rainwater at a coaching centre in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said in a post on X, “MCD’s sealing drive continues in East Delhi today. We are in the process of doing everything to set an example for all coaching centres that think of flouting rules.”
The MCD release stated that four basements functioning as illegal libraries in the Karol Bagh Zone were sealed. In the Shahdara South Zone, four basements belonging to coaching centres and libraries were sealed, while in the Najafgarh Zone, two such basements were also sealed. The MCD has issued notices to coaching centres and property owners for property misuse and violations of building bylaws across all zones. Furthermore, the MCD is carrying out a survey to identify coaching centres and other properties in basements throughout the city that are in breach of regulations.
The MCD will persist in strictly enforcing building regulations to safeguard students and residents. In the meantime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed responsibility for the probe into the deaths of the three UPSC aspirants. The Delhi High Court assigned the case to the CBI last week, citing deficiencies in the Delhi Police’s investigation and concerns about possible corruption among public officials.
