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On July 27, the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle flooded, resulting in the deaths of Tanya Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Nevin Delvin. The case, initially handled by the Delhi Police, was transferred to the CBI on August 2 to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
On Friday, the Delhi Court denied bail to four co-owners of the Rau IAS Coaching Center in connection with the recent tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Old Rajendra Nagar.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna observed that the basement, which had been designated for storage by an occupancy certificate dated August 9, 2021, from the Fire Department, was illegally used as a study hall. While the court recognized the systemic failures that contributed to the incident, it stressed that the joint owners were not solely responsible.
The defense's argument that the owners were unaware of culpable homicide was dismissed. The court determined that the illegal use of the basement was directly connected to the tragedy and denied bail, citing the critical stage of the ongoing investigation and concerns about potential interference.
The CBI opposed the bail applications, highlighting the severity of the incident and the financial benefit the owners gained from the basement's illegal use. The CBI noted that a complaint had been filed with the MCD in June regarding the basement's misuse, yet no action was taken. The agency expressed concerns that releasing the accused could result in evidence tampering and witness influence.
On August 2, the Delhi High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gadela directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the deaths of the three civil service aspirants who drowned after the basement of the coaching center was flooded. The court had previously ordered the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Deputy Commissioner of Police to appear in person.
Background:
In its order dated July 31, the High Court identified deficiencies in the state's financial and administrative infrastructure. The court also expressed concern over the arrest of a passerby SUV driver.
Nevertheless, on July 31, Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar of the Tis Hazari Court denied bail to the SUV driver, Manuj Kathuria. However, on August 1, District Judge Rajesh Kumar Goel granted bail to the SUV driver after the police withdrew the culpable homicide charges against him.
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