Delhi Flood Tragedy Sparks Conspiracy Allegations Against LG Saxena

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj accuses officials of negligence in desilting efforts, leading to the recent coaching institute tragedy. He claims corruption and inaction despite evidence and calls for third-party audits. Bharadwaj criticizes LG VK Saxena for failing to take action against implicated officers.

Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday suggested a 'big conspiracy' against the people of the national capital following the IAS coaching institute tragedy. Bharadwaj accused officials of corruption and negligence in desilting efforts, claiming no action was taken against the officers involved despite substantial evidence and complaints.

Bharadwaj shared a video from a June 28 meeting that included Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, PWD Pr Secretary and CEO DJB Anbarasu, MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, ACS IFC Naveen Chaudhary, and other senior officials, alongside AAP ministers Atishi and Gopal Rai. The minister revealed photos and videos showing inadequately desilted drains and questioned the status of a third-party audit on desilting work.

'All photos and videos of the drains were taken around June 23 to 25, before the monsoon started in Delhi,' Bharadwaj posted on X. 'Desilting is done only on paper on a large scale. The tenders are distributed, yet the work is not completed, signifying corruption. What is the status of the third-party audit?' he questioned.

Bharadwaj demanded Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar conduct a third-party audit of the desilting claims by agencies such as PWD and MCD and submit a list of drains supposedly desilted but still inadequately maintained. He denounced LG VK Saxena for failing to take action against the negligent officers.

In the meeting shared on X, Bharadwaj condemned the entire process and blamed LG Saxena for not addressing the corruption issues. 'Due to improper desilting, waterlogging occurred throughout Delhi, causing deaths due to electric shocks,' he asserted. 'Only LG Sahab can take action, but he hasn't,' Bharadwaj added.

The issue escalated following the deaths of three students in a flooded coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar on Saturday. Delhi Police arrested the owner and coordinator of the centre. The victims were identified as Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nivin Dalwin from Kerala. This incident follows the recent electrocution of a UPSC aspirant due to waterlogging in Delhi. (ANI)