• By Vivek Raj
  • Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:12 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

A magisterial probe into the deaths of three civil services aspirants in the flooding of a Delhi coaching centre basement has identified serious lapses and violations by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the fire department. The report also criticises the coaching centre’s management for criminal negligence.

Findings of the Magisterial Probe

The report, submitted to the revenue minister on Wednesday, revealed criminal negligence and violation of several laws by both the MCD and the fire department. It indicated that the RAU's IAS Study Circle was also responsible for the dangerous misuse of the basement without considering student safety.

Three aspirants died on July 27 after heavy rains flooded the basement of the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, central Delhi.

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The report highlighted that the building, used for educational purposes, required a fire NOC (no-objection certificate) due to its height of more than nine metres. However, the building only had permission for office/business use, which did not cover educational activities.

The MCD had previously issued a notice for "misuse" of property after a fire incident in Mukherjee Nagar on August 4, 2023. Despite this, the basement was not sealed, and the misuse was not addressed adequately in subsequent notices.

"The failure to seal the basement after the issue of misuse notice and not even mentioning the same in the showcause notice and misleading the deputy commissioner of the factual field position of misuse appears to be deliberate misconduct with malafide intentions on the part of the concerned engineers of the building department of MCD," the report said.

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The fire department, during an inspection on July 1, 2024, failed to report the misuse of the basement as a library to the MCD. Additionally, the fire department issued a fire safety certificate on July 9, 2024, without acknowledging the misuse, which was a significant oversight.

The report also criticised the MCD for encroaching on stormwater drains and failing to desilt them for five years. The drains' poor maintenance contributed to the severe waterlogging and flooding in the area.

A preliminary report was submitted on July 29, following which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe based on a Delhi High Court order. The CBI has recorded statements from 15 people, including students and officials.

The magisterial probe recommended a detailed inquiry by the MCD to identify and take stern action against those responsible for the lapses.