Delhi High Court Transfers Coaching Centre Tragedy Probe to CBI Due to Police Failures
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/3rd August 2024
The Delhi High Court, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Delhi Police’s handling of the investigation into the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants in a flooded coaching centre basement, has transferred the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court emphasized the need for an independent investigation to ensure public confidence and transparency, especially given the potential negligence and corruption involving government officials.
On July 27, three UPSC aspirants tragically drowned in the basement library of Rau’s coaching centre after heavy rains caused severe flooding. The high court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, highlighted significant lapses in the police investigation and underscored the necessity of a thorough, unbiased inquiry by the CBI. The court also requested the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to appoint a senior officer to supervise the investigation, ensuring it is conducted promptly and effectively.
The bench expressed disbelief at the circumstances surrounding the students’ deaths, questioning why they could not escape the basement. The court sought clarity on whether the exits were obstructed or if the staircases were too narrow for a swift evacuation. Highlighting the timeline of the flooding, the bench pointed out that it should have taken a few minutes for the basement to flood, allowing time for an escape.
The high court was critical of the police for not interrogating Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials. Senior advocate Sanjay Jain, representing the Delhi Police, faced tough questions from the bench regarding the police’s approach and effectiveness in handling the case. The court’s concerns extended to the failure to immediately seize relevant files from the MCD, which could potentially hold crucial evidence.
The court sharply criticized the police for arresting an SUV driver and attributing the incident to him while neglecting to interrogate MCD officials responsible for the area’s stormwater drains. The bench’s pointed remarks included, “Mercifully, you have not challaned the rainwater for entering the basement. You would have said how dare the water enter the basement. You could have fined the water also, the way you arrested the SUV driver for driving his car there.”
The MCD commissioner, present in court, acknowledged that the stormwater drains in the area were non-functional. This admission prompted the court to question why MCD officials had not informed their superiors about the dysfunction and to order the immediate removal of encroachments and unauthorized constructions, including those obstructing stormwater and sewage drains in Rajender Nagar.
The high court expressed dismay over the police’s inability to hold the right officials accountable while promptly arresting a passerby. It stressed that police respect is earned by apprehending actual culprits and exonerating the innocent. The court also admonished the MCD for ignoring judicial orders, highlighting a general lack of adherence to the law and concern for human lives among its officials.
This case underscores the importance of accountability and thorough investigations in incidents involving public safety and government negligence. The high court’s decision to involve the CBI aims to restore public trust and ensure that justice is served, highlighting systemic issues that need addressing to prevent future tragedies.
