The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took action on Monday by sealing a prominent IAS coaching institute in Mukherjee Nagar, northwest Delhi, after discovering that classes were being conducted in the building’s basement. This move is part of a broader crackdown on illegal operations, with several UPSC coaching centres closed for violating regulations.

Officials reported that Drishti IAS, a highly regarded UPSC coaching center in Mukherjee Nagar, was sealed due to the unauthorized use of its basement for classes. The institute, which serves hundreds of civil services aspirants, had five rooms sealed by MCD officials. The owners have been instructed to contact city authorities.

Illegal Use of Basements for Classes

Following the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants in a basement library at their coaching center in Old Rajinder Nagar, Central Delhi, the MCD has announced a crackdown on UPSC coaching centers that violate regulations. The MCD stated that it will conduct a sealing drive in Mukherjee Nagar and take action against establishments illegally using basements.

UPSC coaching centres closed
Image source: Nadas o chapoteas

An MCD official indicated that similar drives would be conducted across the city to target establishments operating illegally from basements.

The crackdown has caused significant inconvenience to many civil services aspirants, as their books and study materials are now locked away. An IAS aspirant from Mukherjee Nagar expressed frustration, noting that libraries at most institutes had been sealed following Saturday’s incident, preventing students from retrieving their materials.

“I have to appear for the UPSC Mains in one and a half months, and the library at my center has been closed. My books and all preparation materials are inside, and I am not allowed to collect them,” the student said. “We received a message on Sunday night to collect our books by 6 am today. I was sleeping, so how was I supposed to collect them by morning? Most students here are preparing for the UPSC Mains,” he added.

UPSC coaching centres closed
Image Source: m.rediff.com

On Sunday, the MCD launched a similar drive in Old Rajinder Nagar, sealing 13 illegal coaching centers a day after three UPSC aspirants died in a flooded basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, a well-known coaching center in Central Delhi.

On Monday, the MCD terminated one officer, suspended another, and initiated an anti-encroachment drive to remove illegal structures covering storm drains, which contribute to waterlogging in Old Rajinder Nagar. Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the three students died on Saturday, has already been sealed by police.

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