Delhi Coaching Centre Deaths: CBI Accuses Owner of ‘Knowingly’ Misusing Basement Commercially

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused Abhishek Gupta, owner of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, of “knowingly” using the building’s basement for commercial purposes, violating the approved usage by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). This misuse led to the tragic drowning of three UPSC aspirants during severe waterlogging on July 27.

The CBI, in a detailed submission to a Delhi court, revealed that the basement was unlawfully used as a library and examination hall with a seating capacity of 80 to 90 students, despite the occupancy certificate issued on August 9, 2021, explicitly stating it could only be used for non-commercial purposes such as parking and storage.

The agency further noted that the coaching institute had operated without a fire safety certificate for nearly a year after the issue was raised before the Delhi High Court in 2023. The MCD had issued a show cause notice to Gupta last year, demanding compliance with Master Plan-2021, but the certificate was only granted on July 9, 2024.

Following the Delhi High Court’s order, the case was transferred to the CBI on August 2, 2024 and it now includes charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The CBI also highlighted that Old Rajinder Nagar, where the institute is located, frequently floods, exacerbating the risk of such incidents.

On Saturday, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nishant Garg granted CBI custody of Gupta and five others – Deshpal Singh, Harvinder Singh, Parvinder Singh, Sarabjeet Singh and Tajinder Singh – until September 4 for custodial interrogation to further investigate the alleged criminal negligence and corrupt practices.