High Court Rebukes Delhi Police for Handling of Coaching Centre Deaths Case, Transfers Probe to CBI

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday transferred the investigation into the drowning deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre’s basement to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This move aims to ensure transparency and public confidence in the inquiry.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, along with Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, criticised the Delhi Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their handling of the case. The court expressed scepticism over how the students could not escape the floodwaters, questioning whether doors were blocked or staircases inadequate.

The bench condemned the inefficiency of civic authorities, highlighting the outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure in Delhi, which is approximately 75 years old. The MCD commissioner, present in court, admitted that stormwater drains were dysfunctional, leading the court to question why this issue was not previously reported.

The court mandated the removal of encroachments and unauthorized constructions, particularly affecting stormwater and sewage drains in the Rajinder Nagar area. It stressed the need for a comprehensive review of Delhi’s administrative, financial, and physical infrastructure due to rising population and increased migration.

The bench also slammed the Delhi Police for their handling of a related incident involving Manuj Kathuria, who was arrested for driving his SUV through a rainwater-flooded street. The court sarcastically noted that, unlike Kathuria’s arrest, the police had not penalised rainwater for flooding the basement.

To oversee the CBI investigation, the court has directed the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to appoint a senior officer. A committee led by the chief secretary will address the broader infrastructure issues impacting the city.