"What is the Delhi Police doing? Have they lost it?," wondered the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, while castigating the police for a "strange" probe by arresting an SUV driver for his alleged role in the drowning of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar area in the national capital.

The strong words of the high court, however, did not come to the rescue of jailed SUV driver whose bail plea was dismissed by a magisterial court later in the day.

Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar rejected the bail plea of five accused, including SUV driver Manuj Kathuria, who was termed a "masti-khor" (fun lover) by the Delhi Police in their vehement opposition to his bail plea.

In the high court, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said a "strange probe" was going on with the Delhi Police taking action against a man who drove a car outside the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar here but not acting against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials.

"What is the Delhi Police doing? Have they lost it? What are its officials who are monitoring the probe doing? This is a cover-up or what?" the court said.

The bench said the police have arrested a bystander or some person who was driving the car over there. It asked whether some official (of MCD) has been held accountable for the incident till now.

"We are telling you, once the responsibility is fixed on officials, no such incident will ever happen in future," the bench said.

The high court was hearing a plea by an organisation, Kutumb, seeking the constitution of a high-level committee to investigate the deaths of the three civil service aspirants on the evening of July 27.

During the hearing, the bench allowed an oral prayer of the petitioner's advocate Rudra Vikram Singh to implead Delhi Police as a party to the petition.

"Where is the police? Who is investigating this matter? They are trying to get hold of any passerby or driver and saying this happened because you drove a car."

"Has any official been caught or interrogated? Have they interrogated the official who has not de-silted this drain? Was the drain de-silted properly and in time?,” the court asked and said, "Some sort of very strange investigation is going on."

The court hinted at asking a central agency to probe the incident and directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner, deputy commissioner of police concerned and the investigating officer (IO) of the case to appear before it on Friday.

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It said this was strange that no MCD official has been hauled up till now.

"We don't know whether the IO has seen the de-silting plan or the approved building construction plan. We have no idea whether he has done that or whether he has investigated the role of MCD officials," the bench said.

The counsel for the Delhi government said he would take instructions from IO on the status of investigation and on the queries raised by the court and apprise it on Friday.

Kathuria has been accused of driving his Force Gurkha car through the street that was flooded by rainwater, causing the water to swell and breach the gates of the three-storey building, where Rau's IAS Study Circle was being run, and inundate the basement.

The police have registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 105 (culpable homicide), 106(1) (death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide), 115(2) (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings).&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

"What is the Delhi Police doing? Have they lost it?," wondered the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, while castigating the police for a "strange" probe by arresting an SUV driver for his alleged role in the drowning of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar area in the national capital.

"What is the Delhi Police doing? Have they lost it?," wondered the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, while castigating the police for a "strange" probe by arresting an SUV driver for his alleged role in the drowning of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar area in the national capital. The strong words of the high court, however, did not come to the rescue of jailed SUV driver whose bail plea was dismissed by a magisterial court later in the day. Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar rejected the bail plea of five accused, including SUV driver Manuj Kathuria, who was termed a "masti-khor" (fun lover) by the Delhi Police in their vehement opposition to his bail plea. In the high court, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said a "strange probe" was going on with the Delhi Police taking action against a man who drove a car outside the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar here but not acting against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials. "What is the Delhi Police doing? Have they lost it? What are its officials who are monitoring the probe doing? This is a cover-up or what?" the court said. The bench said the police have arrested a bystander or some person who was driving the car over there. It asked whether some official (of MCD) has been held accountable for the incident till now. "We are telling you, once the responsibility is fixed on officials, no such incident will ever happen in future," the bench said. The high court was hearing a plea by an organisation, Kutumb, seeking the constitution of a high-level committee to investigate the deaths of the three civil service aspirants on the evening of July 27. During the hearing, the bench allowed an oral prayer of the petitioner's advocate Rudra Vikram Singh to implead Delhi Police as a party to the petition. "Where is the police? Who is investigating this matter? They are trying to get hold of any passerby or driver and saying this happened because you drove a car." "Has any official been caught or interrogated? Have they interrogated the official who has not de-silted this drain? Was the drain de-silted properly and in time?,” the court asked and said, "Some sort of very strange investigation is going on." The court hinted at asking a central agency to probe the incident and directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner, deputy commissioner of police concerned and the investigating officer (IO) of the case to appear before it on Friday. Also read: India: Teen jumps to death, leaves behind 'log out note' tied to online game addiction It said this was strange that no MCD official has been hauled up till now. "We don't know whether the IO has seen the de-silting plan or the approved building construction plan. We have no idea whether he has done that or whether he has investigated the role of MCD officials," the bench said. The counsel for the Delhi government said he would take instructions from IO on the status of investigation and on the queries raised by the court and apprise it on Friday. Kathuria has been accused of driving his Force Gurkha car through the street that was flooded by rainwater, causing the water to swell and breach the gates of the three-storey building, where Rau's IAS Study Circle was being run, and inundate the basement. The police have registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 105 (culpable homicide), 106(1) (death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide), 115(2) (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings). Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Have they lost it?': Delhi High Court questions police arrest of SUV driver in coaching centre tragedy

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar handed over a probe report to Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi regarding the deaths of three civil services aspirants at Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar of the national capital on Tuesday (July 30).

The report highlights several lapses of the coaching institute, such as jamming of the drainage system and inadequate security staff. According to the report, the coaching centre had entirely blocked the drainage system and failed to implement extra measures to handle such situations.

“The parking access to the institute is directly exposed to the road and in case of heavy rain, water instead of going into the stormwater drain enters directly into this parking area,” the report added.

"There was no vigil on the part of security staff as a result water uninterruptedly crossed the parking area and entered into the basement ultimately taking the precious life of three bright children,” the report said.

The report from the Delhi Chief Secretary stated that the Assistant Engineer (M-1)/KBZ, who was in charge of the drainage system in the area, had been suspended right away. Additionally, the Junior Engineer (M-1)/KBZ has been dismissed from service.

The chief secretary's report claimed that the stretch from Shankar Road to Pusa Road is shaped like a saucer, with the lowest point located in front of Rau's Coaching Institute. “During peak rains, water accumulates in this stretch of 200 feet and whenever vehicles pass through this stretch there is a huge splash of water which aggravates the situation,” the report said.&nbsp;

“The water which was supposed to enter into the stormwater drain and then to barrel, pushes towards the parking area,” the report added.&nbsp;

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The report alleged that property owners have covered the drainage system in the built-up section with granite, marble, or kota stones. "The opening in the shape of a manhole over the drainage system has also been covered with finishing items, thus leaving no scope for cleaning of the drains,” the report added.

The Centre has formed a panel to investigate the deaths of Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalwin from Kerala, who drowned in the flooded basement of the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar.

"MHA has constituted a committee to inquire into the unfortunate incident at a coaching centre in old Rajinder Nagar in New Delhi. The committee will inquire into the reasons, fix responsibility, suggest measures and recommend policy changes," the MHA spokesperson posted on X.

"The committee will have Additional Secretary, MoUHA, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi Govt, Special CP, Delhi Police, Fire Advisor and JS, MHA as Convener. It will submit its report in 30 days," the post said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar handed over a probe report to Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi regarding the deaths of three civil services aspirants at Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar of the national capital on Tuesday (July 30).

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar handed over a probe report to Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi regarding the deaths of three civil services aspirants at Rau's IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar of the national capital on Tuesday (July 30). The report highlights several lapses of the coaching institute, such as jamming of the drainage system and inadequate security staff. According to the report, the coaching centre had entirely blocked the drainage system and failed to implement extra measures to handle such situations. “The parking access to the institute is directly exposed to the road and in case of heavy rain, water instead of going into the stormwater drain enters directly into this parking area,” the report added. "There was no vigil on the part of security staff as a result water uninterruptedly crossed the parking area and entered into the basement ultimately taking the precious life of three bright children,” the report said. The report from the Delhi Chief Secretary stated that the Assistant Engineer (M-1)/KBZ, who was in charge of the drainage system in the area, had been suspended right away. Additionally, the Junior Engineer (M-1)/KBZ has been dismissed from service. The chief secretary's report claimed that the stretch from Shankar Road to Pusa Road is shaped like a saucer, with the lowest point located in front of Rau's Coaching Institute. “During peak rains, water accumulates in this stretch of 200 feet and whenever vehicles pass through this stretch there is a huge splash of water which aggravates the situation,” the report said. “The water which was supposed to enter into the stormwater drain and then to barrel, pushes towards the parking area,” the report added. Also read: FM slams Opposition for alleging bias, reminds ‘26 states not named in 2009 UPA era Budget’ The report alleged that property owners have covered the drainage system in the built-up section with granite, marble, or kota stones. "The opening in the shape of a manhole over the drainage system has also been covered with finishing items, thus leaving no scope for cleaning of the drains,” the report added. The Centre has formed a panel to investigate the deaths of Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalwin from Kerala, who drowned in the flooded basement of the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. "MHA has constituted a committee to inquire into the unfortunate incident at a coaching centre in old Rajinder Nagar in New Delhi. The committee will inquire into the reasons, fix responsibility, suggest measures and recommend policy changes," the MHA spokesperson posted on X. "The committee will have Additional Secretary, MoUHA, Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi Govt, Special CP, Delhi Police, Fire Advisor and JS, MHA as Convener. It will submit its report in 30 days," the post said. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi: Probe reveals shocking lapses at Rau’s IAS coaching centre after student deaths

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'Have they lost it?': Delhi High Court questions police arrest of SUV driver in coaching centre tragedy

Delhi: Probe reveals shocking lapses at Rau’s IAS coaching centre after student deaths