Magistrate's probe report into basement flood deaths slams MCD, Fire Department for misconduct

Magisterial probe reveals mala fide violations by MCD and Fire Department in deaths of civil services aspirants.

A magisterial probe into the deaths of three civil services aspirants in the flooding of a Delhi coaching centre building basement has indicated mala fide violations of several laws by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Fire Department.

The report submitted to the Revenue Minister on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) said, "... owners and management of RAU's IAS Study Circle were also responsible for the criminal negligence by indulging in dangerous misuse of basement without regard to the lives of the students."

Three civil services aspirants died on July 27 after the basement of a building housing the coaching centre was flooded following heavy rain in central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area.

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The report revealed that the "violation of rules" in the building were noticed before by the MCD and the Fire Department but they took no action.

The probe conducted by the District Magistrate (central) revealed that the building where the coaching centre was being operated from had permission for "office/business" use, for which a fire NOC (no-objection certificate) was not needed.

“However, it did require the Fire Department’s NOC as it was being used for “educational purpose” and was more than nine metres high,” the report said.