SC takes suo moto cognizance of deaths of UPSC aspirants

The Supreme Court on Monday, 5 August took suo moto cognizance of the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar on 27 July.

A bench presided over by Justice Surya Kant called for the responses of the Centre and the Delhi government detailing the steps taken to ensure compliance with safety protocols in coaching institutes.

The Bench, also comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, orally observed that no coaching centre should be allowed to operate unless they comply strictly with safety norms and regulations.

Last week, the Delhi High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the incident.

It ordered the formation of a committee consisting of the Delhi Chief Secretary, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Vice Chairman, the MCD Chairman and the Commissioner of Police to re-look into Delhi’s administrative, physical, and financial infrastructure.

Earlier, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formed a committee to investigate the incident that claimed three lives in the national capital. The committee, comprising the Additional Secretary, Housing and Urban Affairs, Delhi's Principal Secretary, Home, Special Commissioner of Delhi Police, Fire Advisor, and the Joint Secretary (MHA), will submit its report within 30 days.

Three UPSC aspirants lost their lives after heavy rainfall led to waterlogging in the basement of a coaching institute in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar area, which was being used illegally as a library.

The incident trapped 17 other students for several hours, highlighting the dire safety issues in these establishments.

The basement of the coaching centre was used as a library in violation of the rules since the space was allowed to be used only for parking and storage purposes.