In a recent development concerning the Rajinder Nagar incident, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has ordered that all six accused be held in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody for four days.
This decision follows their previous arrest and placement in judicial custody. The ruling was made in light of a Delhi High Court order from August 2, 2024, emphasising that custodial interrogation is crucial for the ongoing investigation.
The tragic incident, which occurred a month ago, involved the drowning of three IAS aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. The court's decision to remand Abhishek Gupta, Deshpal Singh, Tajinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh, and Parvinder Singh to CBI custody reflects the need to investigate their roles in any potential misconduct or criminal negligence related to the case.
Additional Sessions Judge Nishant Garg underscored that custodial interrogation is vital for a thorough investigation into serious offences. He noted that such interrogation allows investigators to gather necessary information and complete their inquiries effectively. This perspective aligns with the Supreme Court's stance that investigation officers should have the flexibility to conduct thorough probes in serious cases.
Senior Public Prosecutor Prashant Kumar, representing the CBI, highlighted the importance of questioning the accused in custody to advance the investigation. Kumar stated that the CBI has not yet had the opportunity to interrogate the accused while in police custody.
Lawyers Abhinav Chaudhary and Monica Rana are representing the accused in this case. The court recently dismissed a petition from Abhishek Gupta, the CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, who had sought permission to resume classes at the coaching centre. This request was made after the basement flooding incident on July 27 led to the deaths of the IAS aspirants.
The CBI opposed Gupta’s petition, pointing out that the basement, where the drowning occurred, was being used as a library rather than for its intended purpose of storage. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full details of the incident and any potential lapses in safety protocols.
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