Delhi Police detains owner, coordinator of coaching centre where three students died

Security personnel stand guard near the UPSC exam coaching centre.

A day after three UPSC aspirants lost their lives after they were trapped for over four hours when water suddenly gushed into the basement of a popular coaching centre in Delhi, the city police has arrested the owner and coordinator of that coaching centre.

“The owner of the coaching centre and the coordinator have been detained so far and those whose names crop up during the course of the investigation will accordingly face strict legal action,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Harsh Vardhan, said.

The victims have been identified as Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav -- both aged 25 -- and Navin Delvin, 28. While Tania was from Telangana and Shreya from Uttar Pradesh, Navin was a resident of Kerala.

Additionally, case is registered under sections 105, 106 (1), 115 (2), 290 and 35 of BNS. "This case is against the coaching institute and the management of the building and those who were responsible for the maintenance of the drain of that place," said the DCP.

Revenue Minister Atishi directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to initiate an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours on the incident. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate how this incident happened. Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared," Atishi said in a post on X.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the basement housed a library where several students were present. Water suddenly started flooding the basement. Ropes were used to evacuate the trapped students, the officials said.