The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control over the investigation into the tragic drowning of three civil services aspirants in the basement of a coaching center in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar area. This decision follows the Delhi High Court’s criticism of the Delhi Police’s inability to act against Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials.
Court’s Directive
The Delhi High Court, expressing dissatisfaction with the Delhi government’s infrastructure management, ordered the CBI to investigate the incident. A bench comprising acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasized the need for an impartial probe to maintain public trust in the investigation.
The Incident
On July 27, Tanya Soni (21), Shreya Yadav (25), and Nevin Delvin (29) tragically drowned when the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle coaching center flooded following heavy rainfall. This incident is one of several monsoon-related fatalities in the capital this season. The flooding led to protests outside the coaching center, prompting police to declare the area a crime scene and seal it off.
Public and Political Reaction
Protesters, demanding accountability, blocked the road leading to the Karol Bagh metro station. Senior police officers were unable to disperse the crowd, which heightened tensions. The incident also ignited a political confrontation between Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which oversees the municipal corporation, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), amidst multiple ongoing investigations.
Legal and Administrative Actions
The police have registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and common intention. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident: Abhishek Gupta (41), the CEO and owner of the coaching center, and DP Singh (60), the institute’s coordinator.
The Union Home Ministry has also formed a committee to investigate the flooding. In a statement on social media on July 29, the ministry announced that the committee would identify the causes, assign responsibility, suggest preventive measures, and recommend policy changes. The committee, led by an Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), includes the Principal Secretary (Home) of Delhi, a Special Commissioner of Police, the Fire Advisor, and a Joint Secretary as the convener. The panel is expected to submit its report within 30 days.
The CBI’s involvement aims to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation, addressing the concerns raised by the High Court and the public. The outcome of this probe is awaited to bring justice to the victims and prevent such tragedies in the future.
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