On 27th July, a tragic incident unfolded in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar area when three students, two girls and a boy, lost their lives after being trapped in a flooded basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a coaching institute for UPSC aspirants. The area experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, which led to water accumulating rapidly in the lower sections of the building.

As soon as the distressing situation was reported, NDRF teams and Delhi Fire Service were dispatched promptly to the scene. They initiated a rescue operation aimed at saving several students who were caught in the unfortunate scenario. The intervention of these rescue teams resulted in multiple students being safely removed from the premises. However, amidst the chaos, the loss of three young lives was confirmed, each originating from Kerala, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, as disclosed by the Delhi Police in their official statement.

In response to this devastating event, a criminal case was lodged against the proprietor of the coaching institute. The local authorities, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central, M Harshvardhan, were quick to act. DCP Harshvardhan provided details of the incident, explaining that the police were alerted around 7 PM about the flooding. He noted significant waterlogging on the road outside the institute, which compounded the emergency situation.

The rescue operations were extensive, with the Delhi Fire Service and NDRF working tirelessly to search for and rescue the trapped students. DCP Harshvardhan highlighted the challenges faced during the operation, mentioning that even after considerable efforts, about seven feet of water remained in the basement. The urgency to clear the water and ensure no further risks were critical components of the ongoing efforts.

Following the incident, the distress and frustration among the student community led to protests outside the flooded institute. Speaking to ANI, DCP Hashavardhan expressed his empathy towards the protestors, underscoring the shared grief but urging the students to avoid the site. "I request the student community to not come here and hamper the rescue services," he stated, emphasizing the necessity for them to allow professional rescue operations to proceed unhindered for everyone's safety.

A criminal case has been officially registered in response to the tragic flooding incident at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harshvardhan detailed the steps being taken by law enforcement to address the catastrophe: “We have registered a criminal case. Our forensic teams are here. The process of collecting forensic evidence is underway. We are committed to the fact that we should have a proper investigation. We are committed to registering a strong case and finding out the truth. Two people have been detained so far.” This statement underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident, emphasizing their dedication to uncovering the facts and ensuring justice.

Simultaneously, the Delhi Fire Department was among the first responders to the crisis. Fire officer Atul Garg recounted the sequence of events and the actions taken by his team: “A total of five fire vehicles reached the sport after we received the information at around 7.15 pm. We pumped the water out and recovered the dead bodies of two girls. Around three children were feared to be trapped. Two have been recovered. We will recover the third one also as soon as the water resides. Our operation will conclude in some time. There were 30 students in the basement, three were trapped while others escaped.” His detailed account provides a grim view of the rescue efforts and the scale of the emergency encountered by the responders.

Further governmental oversight and concern were expressed through the words of AAP minister Atishi, who communicated through a statement on X (formerly Twitter): “There is news of water filling in the basement of a coaching institute in Rajendra Nagar Delhi Fire Department and NDRF are on the spot. Delhi Mayor and local MLA are also there. I am taking updates on the incident every minute. A magistrate has been ordered to investigate how this incident happened. Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared.”

This incident reveals significant mismanagement and evident carelessness, exposing a lack of adequate emergency preparedness. The response by multiple levels of city and state governance, as described in the statements, underscores a scramble to address the aftermath and investigate the causes of the flooding rather than indicating a well-coordinated action plan. The tragic outcomes highlight the urgent need for stricter oversight and improved safety protocols in such establishments.

The response to the devastating flood at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar has escalated into a political conflict, with both outcry and severe criticism directed towards the AAP government's handling of urban infrastructure and safety measures. AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal expressed profound distress over the incident, stating: “This incident is very unfortunate and sad. Can’t even imagine what this child’s family must be going through. Just a few days ago, a student died due to an electric shock in Patel Nagar. Accountability should be fixed for this incident. Those guilty of negligence should be punished.” Her remarks reflect a growing demand for accountability and a call for justice for the families affected by such preventable tragedies.

Further intensifying the critique, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bansuri Swaraj took a direct stance against the AAP leadership. She criticized the neglect shown by the Delhi government, particularly pointing fingers at the Chief Minister and local MLA: “These children came here to create their future. However the government of CM Arvind Kejriwal and MLA Durgesh Pathak did not listen to any requests of the local people. People had been asking Durgesh Pathak for the last week to get the drainage systems cleaned. There are still 2.5 feet of waterlogged on the street. Arvind Kejriwal and Durgesh Pathak are responsible for the deaths.” Swaraj's comments highlight a perceived disregard for public safety concerns, which she attributes directly to the mismanagement and negligence of high-ranking officials.

Adding to the political uproar, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva called for a broader investigation into the systemic issues within the city's governance structures. He stated, “There should be an inquiry into the corruption of Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi and their government. Delhi Municipal Corporation’s corruption should be inquired. There should be an inquiry as to why the drainage was not cleaned. Will they order an inquiry into this?” Sachdeva’s demand for an inquiry into corruption and incompetence reflects a significant distrust in the current administrative mechanisms, emphasizing a critical need for transparency and reform.

The calamity at Rau’s IAS Study Circle continues to unfold layers of alleged mismanagement by the AAP government, with increasing accusations of negligence contributing to the dire situation in Rajendra Nagar. Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva spoke vehemently about the implications of the incident, declaring it a direct consequence of governmental failure. He stated to PTI, “This is a murder and is an example of Arvind Kejriwal’s corruption. Locals here had urged AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak multiple times to get the drain here cleaned. We still don’t know about the casualties yet. This is very saddening.” His words paint a picture of a government indifferent to the repeated pleas of its citizens, highlighting a critical breakdown in civic responsibility and infrastructure management.

The aftermath saw continued protests from the student community, echoing through the streets of Rajendra Nagar. The students’ frustration was palpable as they chanted slogans condemning both the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), voicing their discontent and demanding immediate action.

Amidst the unrest, Aman Shukla, a student affected by the flooding, voiced his concerns to ANI. He said, “We demand that firstly, all these libraries in basements which are there illegally, need to be shut down. MCD should see where is the issue, this is not the first time the water has been logged here. Last time when it rained, cars were floating (in water). In one year, they haven’t done anything… no senior official has visited this place till now…” Shukla’s statement reflects a deep-seated frustration with the ongoing neglect and the absence of effective measures from the authorities to prevent such disasters.

In response to the mounting criticism and anxiety among the students, Additional DCP Sachin Sharma attempted to reassure the public regarding the ongoing investigations. He affirmed, “Three people have died. Why will we hide anything? We assure you that we will do whatever is legally possible. The investigation is on…” Despite these assurances, the repeated incidents and evident distress signal a profound accountability crisis within the city's governance structures.

The continuous discourse surrounding this tragedy underscores a grave concern over the AAP government's ability to maintain the safety and well-being of its residents, particularly in areas prone to flooding. The calls for accountability and immediate rectification of the city’s drainage systems are growing louder, demanding that those in power heed these warnings to prevent future losses and uphold public trust. The investigation remains ongoing, but the community's faith in their leaders continues to wane amidst these repeated failures.