'Need Strict And Immediate Action': UPSC Aspirants Writes to CJI Over Coaching Centre Deaths

Aspirants of the UPSC Civil Services Examination have written to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud seeking his intervention in the incident that occurred in the basement of RAU’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi, which resulted in the tragic deaths of four UPSC aspirants — Navin, Nilesh, Tanya, and Shreya. The letter stated that the incident caused due to water logging and subsequent short-circuiting within the basement, highlights the “severe negligence on the part of multiple authorities.”

“The incident has not only shattered the lives of the deceased aspirants and their families but has also raised significant concerns about the safety and regulatory oversights in the operation of coaching centers, libraries, and other establishments running in basement areas. The gravity of the situation is exacerbated by the fact that such incidents were foreseeable and preventable had proper measures been taken by the authorities involved,” reads the letter.

“Our parents send us to these institutions with the hope that we will secure our future and serve our nation. It is unacceptable that their dreams and our lives are being put at risk due to the negligence of institutions and regulatory bodies,” the letter added.

They also sought ‘strict and immediate action” against MCD officials, electricity board officials, and RAU’s IAS authorities. On Sunday, the Delhi Police arrested the owner and coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle — Abhishek Gupta and Deshpal Singh. The aspirants demanded compensation of at least Rs 5 crore to each family of the deceased aspirants.

The Union Public Service Commission aspirants further demanded a complete ban on the operation of coaching centres in basement areas in and around Delhi, “Periodic inspections of libraries, coaching institutes, gyms, PG accommodations, and rental rooms across key areas like Karol Bagh, Old Rajendra Nagar, Patel Nagar, Shadipur, Jhandewallan, and Rajendra Place to ensure compliance with safety standards,” the letter stated.

In the letter, the aspirants requested the development and maintenance of a robust drainage system to prevent waterlogging, improve electricity supply system, remove open wires, and proper organisation of electrical infrastructure to ensure safety. They also demanded that a regulation must be put to ensure coaching fees are affordable for students from all economic backgrounds.