The Delhi High Court granted bail to four joint owners of a basement involved in the Delhi coaching center flood case that claimed the lives of three students. The court noted the Applicants’ limited role as property owners and highlighted the absence of evidence linking them to corruption allegations. The Applicants voluntarily contributed Rs. 5 lakhs for the victims’ families, with further compensation to be decided by the trial court.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court granted bail to four joint owners of a basement in a tragic case involving deaths at a coaching center in Delhi. This decision came after applications were filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), seeking bail.
A single bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula remarked,
“In such situation, the court, on a prima facie view, finds merit in the contention that the role of the Applicants was limited to being owners of property where the incident occurred. Moreover, the investigation regarding the aspect of corruption, is stated to be pending on the end of the CBI. However, there is no material placed on record either in the status report or otherwise, to indicate any corruption angle in the present petition against the Applicants. On a specific query put by this court, Mr. Kumar submits that, at this stage, he cannot make any comment on the role of the Applicants in relation to corruption allegations. Based on these considerations, the Court finds this a fit case for grant of bail.”
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, a case was registered in August 2024 following an order from the High Court. The investigation, initially handled by the Delhi Police, was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The High Court directed the CBI to investigate the flooding incident in the basement of a coaching center located in Old Rajinder Nagar.
The tragic event led to the deaths of three students. Additionally, the court instructed the CBI to examine whether corruption, negligence, or inaction by public officials or other individuals played a role, and to explore any offenses punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, or other relevant laws.
The coaching institute, identified as ‘RAU’s IAS Study Circle,’ was situated in a building at BP-11, Bara Bazar, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. This building consisted of a basement, stilt/parking area, and multiple floors.
All these spaces, including the basement, were utilized by the coaching center. Specifically, the basement functioned as a library and examination hall, where students studied and participated in tests conducted by the institute.
Details of the Incident
The investigation revealed that on the evening of July 27, 2024, around 6:30 p.m., several students were present in the basement library. Heavy rain in the area caused a sudden collapse of the main building’s sliding gates.
This led to water quickly entering the basement, resulting in severe flooding. While many students managed to escape, three lost their lives.
The Applicants were identified as the joint owners of the basement where the incident took place.
Observations of the Court
The High Court reviewed the facts of the case and referred to the lease deed clauses to determine the responsibilities of the involved parties.
The Court noted,
“… clauses 5.7.2, 5.7.4 and 5.7.8 of the lease deed makes it clear that it was the responsibility of the Lessee to obtain necessary permissions from the local authorities for conducting their business, that the Lessee was permitted to carry out necessary modifications to the scheduled property and that the Lessee was required to operate as per the mandate and bye laws of DDA/MCD or other local authorities.”
The Applicants voluntarily offered to contribute Rs. 5 lakhs for the welfare of the deceased students’ families. In response, the Court directed them to deposit this amount with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) within two weeks.
The Court added,
“The member secretary, DSLSA, shall then consider the claims from the families of deceased and issue direction for disbursal of the said amount after due consideration.”
The High Court further clarified that the trial court retains the authority to award additional compensation to the victims’ families at the conclusion of the trial.
Subsequently, the High Court disposed of the bail applications and granted bail to the Applicants.
Legal Representation
Senior Advocates Mohit Mathur and Amit Chadha appeared for the Applicants, along with Advocates Daksh Gupta, Gaurav Dua, Kaushal Jeet Kait, Jatin Yadav, Harsh Gautam, Vignesh, Sarthak Sethi, and Atin Chadha.
The Respondent’s legal team included SPP Rajesh Kumar, Advocates Mohd. Changez Ali Khan, Abhijit Anand, Tisha Kaushik, Niyoti Dayma, and Prachi Mittal.
CASE TITLE:
Parvinder Singh v. Central Bureau of Investigation.
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