SUV driver arrested in Delhi coaching centre flooding case

The Delhi Police have arrested an SUV driver in connection with the tragic flooding of Rau's IAS coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, which resulted in the deaths of three UPSC aspirants. The incident occurred on Saturday when rainwater inundated the basement of the coaching centre, causing significant casualties.

The driver of a Force Gurkha SUV was identified and detained following an investigation that involved CCTV footage from the area. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M. Harshvardhan, the driver was arrested for his alleged role in damaging the centre's gate, which allowed rainwater to flood the basement.

"The driver was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under BNS Section 105. His reckless driving contributed to the gate breaking, exacerbating the flooding," said DCP Harshvardhan. The driver, along with four other individuals, was arrested on Monday, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to seven. This includes the centre's owner, Abhishek Gupta.

Police reports indicate that the driver was seen speeding past the coaching centre, which led to the gate being damaged and subsequent flooding. "A street vendor attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued at high speed, which accelerated the water flow into the building," Harshvardhan added.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalwin from Kerala. The case has drawn widespread attention, with authorities facing scrutiny over safety measures at the coaching centre and the building's basement.