Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Delhi High Court that its investigation into the role of statutory officials, including those from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Fire Department, is ongoing in connection with the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants at a coaching centre basement in July. The investigation is focused on alleged negligence that may have contributed to the flooding incident, which resulted in the deaths of the students.
The case revolves around the deaths of three civil service aspirants Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni and Nevin Delvin, who drowned when water flooded the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27. It was alleged that statutory officials failed to ensure proper drainage systems and safety measures in the area. The CBI’s probe has so far led to the filing of a charge sheet under the provisions of the Bharitya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) against six individuals on September 26. However, the CBI informed the Court that no criminality could be attributed to Manuj Kathuria, the owner of an SUV, who was earlier arrested for allegedly causing the water to rush into the basement. Consequently, his name was not included in the trial.
During the hearing, the CBI submitted a sealed status report, citing that disclosure of certain facts at this stage could impede the ongoing investigation. CBI’s counsel, Rajesh Kumar, further stated that searches and seizures had been conducted, and documents related to officials from the MCD, Fire Department, and DJB were being scrutinized. The agency also noted that the sic individuals charged in the case are currently out on interim bail. Additionally, the counsel for CBI submitted three reports to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in compliance with the court’s earlier orders, and further investigation into the statutory officials is ongoing.
A bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the CBI to file a fresh status report within four weeks detailing the progress of the investigation. It also ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner to file a status report in line with the court’s previous directives. The Delhi government’s counsel informed the court that the Chief Secretary’s report was ready but required ministerial approval. The bench, however, clarified that since the Chief Secretary was appointed as the committee head by the court, the report should be submitted directly to the court without further concurrence from any other official.
The Delhi High Court had transferred the investigation from Delhi Police to the CBI on August 2, expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the case, particularly the arrest of the SUV driver, and emphasized the need for a broader examination of Delhi’s outdated administrative and infrastructural systems. The court also established a high-level committee, led by the Delhi Chief Secretary, to address issues of unauthorised construction and drainage mismanagement in Rajinder Nagar and ordered the removal of encroachments from stormwater and sewage drains. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 6.
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