Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, issuing a notice to the CBI, acknowledged the gravity of the “very unfortunate” case and stressed the need for solid evidence.The case is set for further hearing on September 11.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday (5th Sept) sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the bail pleas of four co-owners of a basement coaching center in Old Rajinder Nagar, where three IAS aspirants tragically drowned on July 27, 2024.
A trial court had earlier denied bail to the four co-owners, asserting that their liability arose from the illegal act of permitting the basement to be used as a coaching institute.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, issuing a notice to the CBI, acknowledged the gravity of the “very unfortunate” case and stressed the need for solid evidence.
The case is set for further hearing on September 11.
In their bail plea before the Delhi High Court, the co-owners argued that the trial court failed to recognize that they were not named in the FIR. They also highlighted that they voluntarily reported to the police and cooperated with the investigation, showcasing their good faith despite not being summoned by the investigating officer.
The plea also contended that the trial court neglected the principle that vicarious liability is not applicable in criminal law, asserting that strict criminal liability applies only to the person directly responsible for the criminal act, which they claim does not include them.
In their previous bail application, the co-owners attributed the incident to heavy rain, describing it as an “act of God,” and also blamed the local civic agency for the malfunctioning sewer system in the area.
The CBI, which is investigating the case, informed the trial court that the basement was approved for storage purposes only, not for educational use, and the co-owners were allegedly aware of the risks involved.
The court also considered testimony from a Karol Bagh resident who had previously raised concerns about the coaching center operating illegally in the basement, warning of a possible major accident a month before the incident. The court noted that the accused were aware that their illegal actions were putting lives at risk and linked this directly to the tragic event.
