NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved immediate suspension of two Delhi Fire Services officers over alleged negligence of duty in connection with the death of three civil services aspirants in a flooded basement of a coaching centre here, his office said on Monday.
Divisional Officer Ved Pal and Assistant Divisional Officer Udai Vir Singh, both Group ‘A’ officers, face allegations of negligence and hiding of facts. They have been placed under suspension following a thorough investigation into the incident, said officials.
On July 27, the basement of Rau’s IAS coaching centre in Old Rajender Nagar was flooded within minutes due to heavy rainfall, leading to the death of the three students trapped in the basement of the building which was being used as a library.
A detailed inquiry conducted by the District Magistrate (Central) revealed that the two suspended officers had inspected the premises for the issuance of a Fire Safety Certificate. However, they were found to have concealed information about the misuse of the basement as a library and failed to refer the matter to the MCD.
Consequently, the Fire Safety Certificate was erroneously issued on July 9, the officials said.The investigation also pointed fingers at some MCD authorities, who were found to have neglected their duty to inspect and seal the illegally operating basement library and issued a completion-cum-occupancy certificate in Sept 2021.
Strict action is also being initiated against other MCD and PWD officials, responsible for the poor drainage infrastructure in the area, they said. The matter will be referred to the National Capital Civil Service Authority for recommending further disciplinary action.