The Drishti IAS Coaching Center, operated by Vikas Divyakirti and situated in Vardhman Mall, Nehru Vihar, was shut down by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday. Prior to this, MCD’s building department had sent nine correspondences to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) seeking information on the operations of the Drishti Coaching Center within Vardhman Mall. Ultimately, MCD was compelled to enforce this measure.
Following the tragic incident where three students lost their lives due to water accumulation in the basement of Rao IAS Study Circle in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, MCD has initiated action against all buildings and institutions that contravene regulations. It is important to note that Vardhman Mall, where Drishti Coaching was operating, is owned by DDA, and its layout was approved by DDA in 2007, with a completion certificate issued in 2010.
Subsequently, on June 30, 2023, MCD’s building department discovered that the Drishti coaching center in Vardhman Mall was operating unlawfully. Consequently, MCD wrote to DDA requesting action or the transfer of the file pertaining to the activities in Vardhman Mall.
Despite MCD’s nine letters to DDA, no action was taken, and the file was not handed over. DDA informed MCD that the relevant file was missing, and in June 2024, provided MCD with a copy of an FIR, stating that the file had been misplaced and that MCD should proceed with enforcement.
On July 22, MCD issued a show cause notice to Drishti IAS Coaching Center, leading to its closure on Monday, July 29. According to reports, MCD has sealed 80 buildings/basements housing unauthorized coaching centers, libraries, and other establishments in Mukherjee Nagar and its vicinity within the Civil Lines zone from August 2023 to May 13, 2024.
