After 8 Pune students drown at Diveagar, Alandi coaching centre sealed for operating without licence

PUNE: The Alandi Municipal Council in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Friday sealed the premises of a private coaching institute for allegedly operating without a mandatory no-objection certificate, a day after eight of its students drowned off a beach in Raigad district, officials said.The eight students were part of a group from Winners Academy that had gone to Diveagar beach in Raigad for a picnic on Thursday, news agency PTI reported.The eight boys, all aged 16, ventured into the sea and were swept away after misjudging the depth of the water and the current.A day after the incident, the Alandi Municipal Council issued an order stating that Winners Academy Coaching Classes was operating from the property without obtaining a mandatory No-Objection Certificate/licence for business activities from the civic body to run a commercial establishment, officials said.“On verification of records, it is seen that no licence has been obtained from the Municipal Council for starting a business through Winners Academy. Prima facie, it appears the establishment is running without necessary permission,” the order stated.The order further read, “Hence, as per Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965 and other applicable laws, necessary action be taken and the said property running in the name of Winners Academy be sealed immediately.”The council directed officials to carry out a ‘panchnama’, take photographs and submit a report along with the necessary records, PTI reported.According to Raigad police, a group of 48 people comprising 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers from Winners Academy had gone to Diveagar beach for a picnic.Around 3pm, some students entered the sea but failed to gauge the depth and strong undercurrents.Police said workers of a local water sports club and fishermen launched a rescue operation after the teachers raised an alarm and recovered the bodies of all eight victims by 5pm.The deceased were identified as Rajveer Vahile, Soham Bhandwalkar, Kaustubh Daund, Yash Wankhede, Kaivalya Vasankar, Tanmay Vahile, Sumit Ahire and Pranav Bansode, officials said.Their bodies were brought to Alandi town on Friday morning.A wave of shock and disbelief swept through Alandi as residents gathered to bid farewell to the eight students who drowned in the sea.A ‘bandh’ was observed in Alandi to mourn the deaths.(With agency inputs)