Today, On 30th January, The Delhi High Court set aside the financial condition of Rs.2.5 crore imposed for the interim bail of RAU’s IAS Study Circle CEO, Abhishek Gupta. The court ruled that such a requirement was unreasonable and needed reconsideration. This decision ensures a fair approach to bail conditions while maintaining legal balance. The case highlights judicial scrutiny in financial conditions for interim relief.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court set aside the financial requirement of Rs. 2.5 crore for interim bail granted to Abhishek Gupta, CEO of RAU’s IAS Study Circle.
This case is related to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants in July 2024 at the institution’s basement in Old Rajender Nagar. The High Court instructed the trial court to evaluate Gupta’s bail plea based on the merits of the case, with a hearing scheduled for Friday at the Rouse Avenue court.
Justice Vikas Mahajan cancelled the financial condition that the trial court had imposed when granting interim bail to Gupta on September 23, 2024. This condition had previously been stayed by the High Court.
The Court highlighted that the Supreme Court had already nullified the order for establishing a Rs. 5 crore fund concerning co-accused individuals, who received regular bail from the Delhi High Court on January 21.
Gupta’s interim bail was issued on September 23, with a requirement to deposit Rs. 2.5 crore with the Red Cross. Senior counsel Jayant Sood, representing Gupta, pointed out that the Supreme Court had stayed this condition and noted that the other four co-accused co-owners had been granted regular bail by the High Court.
On January 21, a coordinate bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula confirmed the interim bail of the four co-owners. The trial court had granted interim bail to Gupta and coordinator Deshpal Singh in the case on September 23.
During a December 7, 2024, hearing, Gupta’s counsel informed the trial court that the Rs.2.5 crore condition was being challenged in the High Court. The High Court was made aware that the building owners were seeking regular bail, and their interim bail was extended until January 21.
The trial court considered the broader context, noting that both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court were involved in matters concerning interim bail and compensation. The High Court stayed the financial condition on November 29, 2024, and the matter remains pending for further consideration on January 31.
Previously, the Delhi High Court granted interim bail to four co-owners linked to the deaths of the three IAS aspirants.
Additionally, Justice DK Sharma had urged the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to establish a committee, overseen by a retired High Court judge, to ensure that no coaching centers operate in basements without proper approval across Delhi. The court also directed the four co-owners to deposit Rs.5 crore with the Red Cross Society.