‘Living a life of hell’: UPSC aspirant writes to CJI over situation in Delhi’s coaching hubs

NEW DELHI: Civil services aspirant Avinash Dubey has written to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, urging the Supreme Court to take action against officials responsible for the deaths of three students who lost their lives in a flooded basement of a coaching centre in Delhi.
Dubey highlighted the plight of students residing in these areas, saying that they are "living a life of hell" due to the annual flooding caused by the "apathy" of the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
In his letter, Dubey also requested the court to direct officials to find a lasting solution to the recurring issue of waterlogging in areas like Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar, which are major coaching hubs in the city.
He alleged that residents of these places often battle floods caused by drainage issues resulting from poor civic infrastructure.
Dubey pointed out that areas like Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar have been facing the problem of waterlogging annually for many years due to the "negligence" of the MCD.
"Due to clogging of drains, floodwater reaches inside the house. We have to walk in knee-deep drain water... Due to apathy of the Delhi government and municipal corporation, students are living a life of hell," he wrote in his letter.
Dubey also accused the Delhi government and the municipal body of forcing students to live like pests. Describing the Rajinder Nagar coaching centre deaths as "really disturbing," he requested the Chief Justice to take action against those responsible for the deaths of the three students and protect their fundamental rights.
Dubey requested the top court to issue directions to officials for immediate and effective steps to find a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem. He stressed that "due to waterlogging, there is a serious threat to the safety and health of students studying in (such) centres... students need a safe and healthy environment so they can study without fear, and contribute to the development of the country."
Tragedy struck on Saturday when the basement of a building housing a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar was flooded following heavy rain, leading to the death of three civil services aspirants.
In response to the incident, the Delhi Police arrested the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre, Rau's IAS Study Circle, on Sunday, booking them for culpable homicide and other charges. Seven more people were arrested in connection with the case on Monday.
Rau's IAS Study Circle coaching centre on Sunday issued a statement after three UPSC aspirants drowned in the flooded basement following the heavy rain in Delhi.
"Rau's IAS Study Circle is fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigations into this tragic incident. We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and agencies to ensure that all necessary information is provided and that the investigation proceeds with the utmost diligence," the coaching centre said.