A court on Thursday (August 1) granted bail to Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver arrested in connection with the drowning of three civil services aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre. The decision came as Delhi Police informed the court they would no longer pursue the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Kathuria.
Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar, who was reviewing an appeal challenging a magisterial court’s previous bail denial, approved the bail request on a bond of Rs 50,000. “The bail is allowed,” the judge said.
A detailed court order is expected soon.
Delhi Police drop culpable homicide charge against Kathuria
Kathuria faced accusations of driving his Force Gurkha vehicle through a rain-flooded street, causing the water to breach the gates of the three-storey coaching centre and flood its basement. During the proceedings, the Delhi Police revealed that the charge of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ would be dropped.
“During the further investigation, as carried out in the preceding 48 hours, it has transpired that the ingredients of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) is, at this stage, not being sufficiently established,” the investigating officer (IO) said in his reply to the appeal.
“The same can be better assessed when the expert team from IIT-Delhi visits the spot and post inspection, submits its findings. Thus, as of now, the primary offence against the accused is of Sec 281 BNS (rash driving or riding on public way) for which the court may kindly pass appropriate orders as deemed fit,” the IO added.
Kathuria was arrested on Monday alongside four co-owners of the basement. The previous Sunday, a magisterial court had placed Abhishek Gupta, owner of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, and coordinator Deshpal Singh under 14-day judicial custody.
The FIR includes charges under various BNS sections, including 105 (culpable homicide), 106(1) (death due to rash or negligent acts), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 290 (negligent conduct regarding building maintenance).