The Delhi High Court has handed over the investigation into the tragic deaths of three IAS aspirants to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court’s decision on Friday came after the aspirants died in a flooding incident at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar.
The court directed the Central Vigilance Commissioner to appoint an officer to oversee the CBI’s investigation, ensuring it proceeds efficiently and transparently. “Given the gravity of the situation and to maintain public confidence in the investigation, this court transfers the probe to the CBI,” the ruling stated.
In its order, the court criticized the inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure in Delhi, highlighting that previous orders to improve conditions have been ignored. The judges pointed out that civic agencies have consistently failed to address these issues effectively.
During the hearing, the court also reprimanded both the Delhi Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their negligence. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed frustration with the MCD’s lack of response, calling it a recurring problem.
The court sarcastically noted the police’s actions in arresting the driver of an SUV that drove past the coaching institute, contrasting it with their inaction on issues like basement flooding. “It’s fortunate that you haven’t fined rainwater for entering the basement, as you did with the SUV driver,” the court remarked.
The incident occurred on July 27 when heavy rain flooded the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, leading to the deaths of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalvin. The tragedy has sparked protests among students, who are calling for better safety measures at coaching centers to prevent such incidents in the future.
