Delhi High Court Seeks CBI Response on Bail Pleas of Coaching Centre Owners in Tragic Drowning Case
The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to bail petitions from four co-owners of a basement coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, where three IAS aspirants drowned on July 27, 2024. The trial court had denied bail, citing the illegal use of the basement. The co-owners argue they were not named in the FIR and cooperated with the investigation. The CBI claims the basement was meant for storage, not education, and the owners were aware of the risks. The next hearing is on September 11, 2024.
Details of the Case
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma’s bench described the case as “very unfortunate” and emphasized its seriousness. The court has directed the CBI to present concrete evidence. The co-owners’ bail plea stated that the trial court failed to consider that the applicants were not named in the FIR and that they voluntarily reported to the police station, demonstrating their bona fides.
Arguments from Both Sides
The co-owners argue that vicarious liability does not apply in criminal jurisprudence and that strict criminal liability pertains only to the person who directly commits the criminal act. They also claimed that the tragic incident was caused by heavy rain, an “act of God,” and blamed the civic agency for the area’s dysfunctional sewer system.
The CBI, however, stated that the basement was designated solely for storage, not for educational purposes, and that the accused were aware of the risks. Testimony from a Karol Bagh resident, who had previously raised concerns about the illegal use of the basement, was also considered by the court.
Next Steps
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 11, 2024.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big building where judges work to make important decisions about laws and justice in Delhi, the capital city of India.
CBI -: CBI stands for Central Bureau of Investigation. It is a special police force in India that investigates very serious crimes and corruption.
Bail -: Bail is when someone who is in jail can pay money to get out of jail while they wait for their trial in court.
Coaching Centre -: A coaching centre is a place where students go to get extra help and study for important exams, like the IAS exam in India.
IAS aspirants -: IAS aspirants are people who are studying hard to pass the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam, which is a very tough test to become a top government officer in India.
FIR -: FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a document that the police write when someone reports a crime.
Illegal use of the basement -: Illegal use of the basement means using the basement for something it is not allowed to be used for, like teaching students instead of storing things.
Hearing -: A hearing is a meeting in court where the judge listens to both sides of a case before making a decision.
