Delhi Police Arrest Seven in Coaching Institute Flooding Case; BJP and AAP Clash over Accountability

Five more people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the deaths of three IAS aspirants who drowned in a basement flood at Rau’s IAS Coaching Centre in Delhi. This brings the total number of arrests to seven, including the two owners of the coaching centre who were detained earlier.

“Whoever is at fault in this incident will not be spared. We are taking strict action against those responsible for the incident and maintaining law and order in the area,” said DCP Harsha Vardhan. He also noted that one of those arrested had damaged the building’s gate during the incident.

The incident has stoked a massive political controversy; BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which oversees the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), for failing to address recurring safety issues. “MCD is under AAP, and that party has been ruling Delhi for the last nine years. Incidents like this happen every year, but AAP has found no concrete solution to tackle this issue,” said Khandelwal stating that sealing basements is not a long-term solution and called for severe punishment for those responsible.

In response, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of colluding with Delhi’s Lt Governor Saxena to shift blame. Singh argued, “The responsibility of handling officials lies with the Lt Governor. The BJP is conspiring with the LG to blame the AAP. They took away the right to transfer officials and now, when action is needed, they are shifting blame.”

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also weighed in, calling for a focus on solutions rather than political maneuvering. “Failures related to projects and infrastructures are happening one after another in Delhi. There should be some accountability,” said Tagore. He has filed an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to address the city’s infrastructure issues. Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Jebi Mather visited RML Hospital in Delhi to meet with the bereaved families.

Rau’s IAS Coaching Centre, where the incident occurred, has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The centre was using its basement, originally designated for parking and storage, as a library—contrary to regulations. As per reports, the Delhi Police is likely to issue a notice to the MCD and its officials to join the investigation into the deaths of the three students. Authorities are currently reviewing the documents of the implicated coaching centres.

The MCD had earlier sealed basements of 13 other coaching centres in Old Rajinder Nagar on Sunday following student protests demanding justice. The incident unfolded around 6:35 p.m. on Saturday when heavy rainfall caused the basement at Rau’s IAS Centre to flood, claiming the lives of 3 UPSC aspirants.​