In the wake of the tragic deaths of three Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants, a Delhi lawyer has called upon the High Court to address the recurring safety violations in the city’s educational facilities. Advocate Satyam Singh wrote to the Delhi High Court’s acting Chief Justice on Monday, urging an immediate safety audit of all coaching centers and libraries in the national capital, particularly highlighting the recent flooding incident in Old Rajinder Nagar.
The deaths occurred after the basement of the Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a coaching center in central Delhi, was inundated during heavy rainfall last week. This incident, Singh noted, is indicative of a broader pattern of negligence within the densely populated coaching hub, where many such institutes reportedly flout Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) regulations concerning safety measures.
In his plea, Singh stressed the need for judicial intervention to enforce stringent safety standards, including mandatory flood prevention and proper drainage systems for basement facilities. He emphasized that the right to education should not compromise the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Singh also highlighted deficiencies such as inadequate fire safety protocols, emergency exits, and overcrowding issues within these coaching centers. He called for the imposition of severe penalties on those found non-compliant, including the possibility of immediate closure and criminal proceedings against the operators.
Furthermore, Singh implored the acting Chief Justice to consider initiating suo motu action against authorities responsible for the lax enforcement of existing regulations.
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The community’s concern escalated after the Delhi Police arrested the owner and the coordinator of the coaching center, booking them under charges including culpable homicide. This incident mirrors a similar case last year when the High Court took suo motu cognizance of a fire at a coaching center in Mukherjee Nagar, a case that remains unresolved.
