New Delhi: While seeking the custody of six accused in the tragic death of three civil services aspirants the CBI has informed the court, “it has launched a full-fledged investigation in the tragic incident including but not limited to criminal negligence dereliction of duties, corrupt practices indulged in by any person(s) including the officials of local authorities.”
The Rouse Avenue Court, Saturday, remanded all the six accused to CBI custody of four days. The accused – Abhishek Gupta, Deshpal Singh, Tajinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh, and Parvinder Singh – were produced before the court on Saturday.
“Considering the submissions in the application and in particular the scope of investigation in terms of the order dated 02.08.2024 of the Hon 'ble High Court of Delhi, custodial interrogation of the accused persons would be necessary for the purpose of investigation and for ascert;;iinillg the role played by various individuals who might have been involved in corrupt practices or criminal negligence,” the court stated.
The probe agency also told the court that the allegations against the accused persons are of serious nature. While handing the probe to CBI, the Delhi High Court had made a scathing observation at Delhi Police for its arrest of a driver. The acting chief justice had said, " mercifully you didn't challan the water."
CBI in documents submitted before the court said :
Abhishek Kumar Gupta (co-partner in M/s Rau Coaching Institute) entered into an agreement with co-owners of basement for a rent of Rs 4 lakh for 9 lakhs/ months. The basement was used as an exam/ hall by students to study and take tests throughout the day. MCD issued a completion cum occupancy certificate to the owners of buildings for parking use, household storage and car lift,” the CBI stated.
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“However in contravention of the approved usage, the lessor and lessee agreed to use the basement for commercial purposes to run a coaching institute,” the federal agency stated.
The CBI investigation further revealed that lessee was running a library and examination hall having a seating capacity of 80 -90 students.
CBI’s Charges:
Students used to sit in the basement for long hours for self-study and taking exam there.
It has come to investigations that the locality used to get flooded even in moderate rains as it's a low-lying rains and flood/rain water used to enter premises for which steel gates of the premises were used to block the entry of water into premises.
The CBI in its investigation has further said the coaching institute was running without fire safety certificate.
“The matter of such coaching centres was brought to the notice of the Delhi High Court wherein it was said that a large number of coaching centres run without fire NOC,” the probe agency said.
“Last August (4th August 2023) a show cause notice was issued to Raus Coaching Institute for misuse of its property and bring the premises within permitted use as per Master Plan in 48 hours / Show cause notice why premises should not be sealed ,” it added.
On August 8, 2023 Gupta submitted a letter with a requisite affidavit to DC (Karol Bagh ) Zone that he has applied for fire certificate. However, fire safety certificate was issued on July 9, 2024 (nearly a year later) by Delhi Fire Services.
About the case:
On August 7, the CBI started probing the death of three students at a coaching centre in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar. The matter was earlier being probed by Delhi Police.
Three students had drowned in the basement of a coaching centre after it flooded following heavy rain in the region. Multiple protests led by students and the students' wing of political parties were held against the Delhi government and the MCD seeking a probe against responsible officials.
Delhi police arrested seven people including an SUV driver. However, the Delhi High Court lashed out at the police, Delhi government and the MCD and transferred the case to the CBI. The court said it was merciful of the Delhi police that it did not "challan the water".
The court expressed surprise over the arrest of the SUV driver and highlighted the poor infrastructure Delhi has. It said that MCD has not been able to revive the depleting structures in the national capital.