Coaching center tragedy: Supreme Court calls them “death chambers”

Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants due to flooding in the basement of a coaching center in Delhi.

On Monday, August 5, the Supreme Court took a suo moto cognizance of the tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants due to flooding in the basement of a coaching center in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, last month. Notices have been issued to the Centre and the Delhi government seeking responses by a bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Surya Kant.

Coaching centers have turned into death chambers, says SC.

The Supreme Court, comprising the Justices mentioned above, said on Monday, “These coaching centers have turned into death chambers.” The bench said, “They can operate online unless they fully comply with safety norms and basic standards for a dignified life. These institutes are jeopardizing the lives of aspirants from various parts of the country.”

SC instructs the Centre and Delhi government to file responses on the issue.

Supreme Court also issued notices to the Centre and Delhi government seeking responses about the current safety norms. It has instructed the Centre, the Delhi government, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file responses. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had transferred the investigation from Delhi police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure transparency and public confidence in the inquiry.

Student protests.

Victims identified as Shreya Yadav (25) from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni (25) from Bihar, and Nevin Delvin (24) from Kerala perished due to the flooding of the coaching center’s basement. Following this tragedy, students from various coaching centers protested, calling for enhanced safety measures. A candlelight march also happened on Sunday to honor the deceased peers.