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Updated 17:34 IST, August 2nd 2024

CBI to investigate deaths of 3 students due to flooding at Delhi coaching centre

The Delhi High Court on Friday transferred the investigation to the CBI, citing the "nature of the incident" as the reason for the transfer.

Reported by: Business Desk
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Old Rajinder Nagar
Students stand amid waterlogging in front of Rau's IAS Study Circle at Old Rajinder Nagar | Image: PTI

Delhi coaching centre deaths: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been tasked with probing the deaths of three children who perished in a flood at the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area.

The Delhi High Court on Friday transferred the investigation to the CBI, citing the "nature of the incident" as the reason for the transfer.

During the proceedings, a two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, stated, “Having regard to the nature of the incident, and to ensure that the public has no doubt regarding the investigation, this court transfers the investigation to the CBI.”

The High Court also instructed the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to appoint an official to monitor the CBI investigation. "The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is directed to nominate an official to oversee the investigation by the CBI," the court declared.

The bench also criticised the Delhi Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their ineffective response and for arresting Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver accused of causing the flooding. The court deemed the action against the SUV driver unfair.

The court remarked that MCD officials appeared indifferent, and such incidents had become routine. "Mercifully, you have not challaned rainwater for entering the basement, the way you arrested the SUV driver for driving his car there," the court noted.

On July 27, three Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants died due to flooding in the basement of the Rau's IAS Study Circle building in the central Delhi coaching hub of Old Rajinder Nagar, following heavy torrential downpours.

After the news broke out, many groups of students started longstanding protests in Rajinder Nagar, demanding justice for the three dead students. However, the drainage situation in the city got exposed further after the NCR registered massive rains on Wednesday. 

Published 17:34 IST, August 2nd 2024