The Delhi Police have apprehended five additional individuals in connection with the deaths of three civil service aspirants, who drowned when a coaching centre’s basement flooded in Rajinder Nagar. This latest round of arrests brings the total to seven.
The newly detained include the owners of the basement and a person whose vehicle reportedly caused a significant surge of water, breaching the coaching centre’s gate during the heavy rains. On Sunday, both the owner and coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the incident took place, were arrested and charged with culpable homicide, negligence, and other related offenses.
Deputy Commissioner of Police M Harshavardhan asserted, “We are committed to holding all responsible parties accountable. Strict measures are being implemented to ensure justice and maintain order in the area.”
Recent arrests also include four relatives of Amarjeet, the building’s owner, including his son. The building’s various floors were registered under different names. Additionally, the owner of a Force Gurkha SUV, which allegedly damaged the coaching centre’s gate, has been taken into custody. A viral video shows the SUV driving through a waterlogged road, causing a wave of water to hit the gate and flood the basement.
Investigations are now focusing on the building’s structural integrity and the local municipality’s drainage management. The Delhi Fire Service is inspecting the building, particularly the basement, which was illegally utilised as a library.
Authorities are preparing for a major cleanup effort, with bulldozers arriving to remove illegal structures around Rau’s IAS Study Centre. Police have authorised the operation to clear encroachments.
The tragedy has highlighted issues including poor drainage, safety violations, and illegal basement usage. An MCD official described the incident as a result of “gross criminal negligence” by the coaching centre’s management.
In response, the Delhi Government has taken action against illegal coaching centres, sealing 13 that were operating from basements. The Old Rajendra Nagar area is now under heightened security due to ongoing protests demanding justice for the victims.
On Saturday evening, the basement flood trapped more than 35 individuals, including students and staff. Tragically, three students — Shreya Yadav from UP, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Kerala — lost their lives.
An FIR has been registered, and multiple investigation teams are on the case. The Delhi Government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry to further examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
