Tis Hazari Court Reserves Order on Bail Plea of Manuj Kathuria in Fatal SUV Incident

Delhi's Tis Hazari court reserved its decision on Manuj Kathuria's bail plea, an SUV driver accused in the deaths of three UPSC aspirants. The case involves charges of rash driving leading to severe water damage and subsequent fatalities. Delhi police have opposed the bail request.

Delhi's Tis Hazari court on Thursday reserved its order on the bail plea of Manuj Kathuria, an SUV driver implicated in the deaths of three UPSC aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. It was alleged that Kathuria drove his vehicle in a rash and negligent manner, causing water to flood the basement.

After hearing his bail plea, Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar-IV reserved the order. Meanwhile, Delhi police have filed a status report on Kathuria's bail plea, stating they are not pressing section 105 (Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Kathuria's counsel argued that all offences are now bailable by right. This follows the recent dismissal of previous bail applications from Kathuria and others involved. Judicial Magistrate First Class Vinod Kumar noted CCTV footage showing the driver causing significant water displacement, resulting in the basement flooding and the tragic loss of three lives.

During bail arguments, it was contended that Kathuria did not commit rash or negligent driving. Despite this, social media and specific CCTV footage are being relied upon by police, copies of which the defense has not received. The counsel has requested the court to preserve all relevant footage and appealed for bail citing Kathuria's medical history.

Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava opposed the bail, presenting evidence from social media suggesting Kathuria frequently engages in risky driving. Shrivastava argued that the accused, aware of local flooding issues, failed to exercise caution and aggravated the incident, which led to the deaths of three students.

(With inputs from agencies.)