Tragic Drowning of Three Delhi Students in Flooded Library
- Three students tragically drowned after being trapped in a flooded library at a coaching center in Delhi.
- The center had installed biometric locks on the basement library, which failed due to waterlogging, preventing escape.
- This incident raises serious concerns about safety measures in educational institutions and the potential risks of such technology.
In a tragic incident in Delhi, police have arrested seven individuals, including the owner of Rau's IAS Study Circle, after three students drowned in the basement of the coaching centre during heavy rains. The victims, Tanya Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Nevin Delvin, all in their twenties, were preparing for India's challenging civil service entrance exams when a burst pipeline flooded the basement on Saturday evening. Reports indicate that around 36 students and staff were present when the flooding occurred. Local residents have raised concerns about the area's clogged drainage system, which they believe contributed to the disaster. Investigations revealed that the coaching centre was illegally utilizing the basement as a library, with biometric locks installed on the doors just days before the incident. This has sparked protests against both the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the coaching centre, prompting police to maintain order amid rising tensions. In response to the tragedy, authorities have sealed several coaching centres operating in basements in violation of regulations. A similar crackdown is being implemented in four other states, including Rajasthan, where many students relocate for their studies. The federal home ministry has initiated an investigation to determine accountability and recommend policy changes to prevent future incidents. Delhi's administrator, VK Saxena, announced a compensation of Rs1,000,000 (£9,289) for the families of the deceased students and pledged swift action against any officials found responsible for the tragedy.