In a tragic incident at Rau IAS Coaching Centre located in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar, three UPSC aspirants drowned in a flooded basement. Five individuals, including a car driver who passed by the coaching center at the time of the incident, have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. The driver of an SUV involved has also been remanded in judicial custody for the same period.
Seven Arrested, Including Coaching Centre Owner
A total of seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident, including the owner and coordinator of RAU’S IAS Study Circle. The primary accusation is that the fast-moving vehicle driven by the accused driver intensified the water flow, causing the gate of the coaching center to break, leading to the basement flooding and the subsequent deaths of three students.
Who is the SUV Driver?
According to The Indian Express, the SUV driver has been identified as 50-year-old Manoj Kathuria. On the day of the incident, July 27, Kathuria drove his SUV through the waterlogged street, which allegedly caused the gate of the three-story building to collapse due to water pressure, resulting in the basement flooding. The SUV has since been seized by the authorities.
Charges Against Kathuria
Police have registered a case against Kathuria under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), among others. Police reports indicate that Kathuria was returning home after dropping off his accountant when the incident occurred. A viral video, allegedly shot by a student of the coaching center, shows Kathuria driving his SUV through the waterlogged street, with the center’s gate collapsing shortly after due to water pressure.
Kathuria’s Defense
Kathuria’s lawyer, Rakesh Malhotra, argued in court that the SUV was moving at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour due to water levels reaching approximately 2.5 feet. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a committee to investigate the incident.
Court Proceedings and Accusations
On July 30, the court reserved its decision on Kathuria’s bail plea. His lawyer contended that Kathuria had no knowledge or intent to cause the incident. Conversely, additional public prosecutor Atul Srivastava opposed the bail, presenting videos from Kathuria’s social media showing him driving the same SUV, arguing that Kathuria’s actions exacerbated the situation.
Ongoing Investigation
Government counsel stated that the police investigation is still in its initial stages, and releasing the accused on bail could lead to witness tampering. Kathuria’s lawyer, however, questioned the arrest, asserting that there is no direct connection between Kathuria and the tragic event.
