IAS Aspirants
A Delhi court has ordered a four-day custody for six individuals involved in the tragic drowning of three IAS Aspirants in Old Rajender Nagar last month. The victims, Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalvin, died on July 27 after flooding occurred in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle.
The accused, Abhishek Gupta, Deshpal Singh, Tajinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh, and Parvinder Singh, were taken into custody on Saturday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They are to be presented in court again on September 4.
The CBI, having taken over the IAS Aspirants case from Delhi Police following a high court order on August 2, requested the custody to further investigate the incident. The agency had filed charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence causing death, and other related offenses. Concerns about the initial investigation led to the transfer of the case to the CBI.
The CBI’s application highlighted that the building’s basement was being improperly used as a library-cum-exam hall for students, contrary to its occupancy certificate, which allowed it only for parking, storage, and a car lift. It was also found that the coaching center was operating without a fire safety certificate. Despite a show cause notice for violating Delhi’s Master Plan 2021, the owner, Gupta, claimed to have applied for the required certificate, which was issued on July 9, 2024.
Defense lawyers opposed the remand, arguing that the CBI provided no solid reason for their custody. Sarabjit Singh’s lawyer also raised concerns about his recent surgery and medication needs during custody. However, the court upheld the custody, stating that it would aid the investigation, especially given the scope outlined by the Delhi High Court’s order.
The court mandated medical examinations for the accused and allowed their lawyers to meet them for 30 minutes each day. Gupta and Deshpal Singh were initially arrested on July 28 and have been in judicial custody since. The other four accused were detained later that evening.
The Delhi Police had previously arrested five others in connection with the case, including Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver who allegedly caused the flooding by crashing into the coaching center’s gate, and the four joint owners of the basement. Kathuria has been granted bail, but the joint owners have had their bail requests denied and have now appealed to the Delhi High Court.
