The Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants at a Delhi coaching centre, describing the incident as an “eye-opener.” In a recent ruling, the court labeled coaching centres as “death chambers” for failing to ensure adequate safety measures for students.
The incident, which occurred on July 27, involved the deaths of Tania Soni (25), Shreya Yadav (25), and Navin Delvin (28) due to flooding in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar. The Supreme Court criticized the lack of fire and safety regulations and expressed concern over the well-being of students in such institutions.
The court imposed a fine of Rs. 1 lakh on the petitioner, the Coaching Center Federation, for challenging the Delhi High Court’s order to shut down coaching centres lacking a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Notices have been issued to the central government and the Chief Secretary of Delhi, questioning the implementation of safety regulations.
Justice Surya Kant, heading the bench, emphasized the need for effective measures and compliance with safety norms. The court suggested that if coaching centres fail to meet safety standards, a shift to online education might be necessary.
The court’s decision aims to address the urgent need for safety improvements in coaching centres and ensure that such tragedies do not recur.
