Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has approved the immediate suspension of two Delhi Fire Service officials for dereliction of duty in connection with the deaths of three civil services candidates in the flooded basement of a coaching center in Delhi in July, his office said on Monday. .
Among those suspended are Divisional Officer Ved Pal and Assistant Divisional Officer Uday Veer Singh, both Group A officers, facing charges of negligence in issuing fire safety certificates despite knowing that the coaching center was illegally using its basement as a library. LG office said.
The LG ordered the suspension of the officials classifying the action as an initial step to ensure accountability. The matter will now be referred to the National Capital Civil Service Authority for further disciplinary action against Ved Pal and Uday Veer Singh, the note added.
On July 27, the basement of Rau’s IAS coaching center in Old Rajendra Nagar was flooded within minutes due to rain, killing three students namely Shreya Yadav (25) from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni (25) from Telangana and Nevin. Dalvin (24) from Kerala was trapped in the basement of a building being used as a library.
“A detailed investigation by the District Magistrate (Centre) revealed that the two suspended officers had inspected the premises to issue fire safety certificates… but, they had concealed information about the misuse of the basement as a library. was found Failed to refer the matter to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). As a result, the fire safety certificate was erroneously issued on July 9,” the note said.
“The inquiry also pointed fingers at some MCD officials, who neglected their duty to inspect and seal the illegally operating basement library and were found to have issued a completion-cum-occupancy certificate in September 2021,” it said, adding that strict action has been taken. Action is also being taken against other MCD and Public Works Department officials responsible for poor drainage infrastructure in the area.
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