The Delhi High Court has transferred the investigation into the tragic death of three civil services aspirants who drowned in the basement of a coaching centre in the national capital to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 

The court took a swipe at the police’s handling of the case, remarking that it was a matter of great relief that the authorities had not gone as far as to blame the water flowing in the drain for the deaths, according to multiple media reports.

Manuj Kathuria, who was arrested on charges of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ for driving an SUV on the waterlogged road beside the coaching centre before its basement got flooded, was granted bail yesterday. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of three students, highlighted severe lapses in civic management and safety protocols.

The High Court emphasised that the police must earn respect by arresting the actual culprits and protecting the innocent. It warned that arresting innocent individuals while allowing the guilty to go free would constitute a grave injustice. The court directed the Delhi Police to provide a clear account of the facts, stating that failure to do so would be unacceptable and likened it to a “brothers club” approach.

Court criticises civic officials and emphasises scientific investigation

The court also questioned why civic officials had not informed the commissioner about the non-functioning stormwater drains in Rajinder Nagar, adding that neglect of such issues had become the norm and that Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials seemed unconcerned. It advised the police to conduct the investigation in a scientific manner and not to succumb to any external pressures.

The Delhi Police has arrested the owner and the coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, charging them with culpable homicide after the tragic deaths of Shreya Yadav (25) from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni (25) from Telangana, and Nevin Delvin (24) from Ernakulam, Kerala, in the flooded basement on Saturday night in Old Rajinder Nagar. Officials have cited the absence of a proper drainage system, lack of safety measures, and the use of the basement for commercial activities in violation of norms as the primary causes of the tragedy.

The Delhi Police issued an apology but blamed media reports for the negative impression surrounding their handling of the case.