New Delhi, Feb. 9 -- On a wet evening in July 2024, as rain beat down on the national capital, a group of students preparing for the Indian civil services exams ran into the cramped basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. Around 7pm, a gush of water swept into the basement from the flooded street, killing three of them within minutes.

Dismay and anger swept through the city. But as residents demanded accountability, the elected government, civic body and administration enmeshed themselves in a bitter back-and-forth.

Who was to blame? Who would be held to account? The city sought answers, but the unrelenting finger-pointing meant none was at offer. Delhi was locked between the divergent government, municipality, lieutenant g...