Delhi Court Grants Bail to SUV Driver in UPSC Aspirants' Death Case

A Delhi court has granted bail to Manuj Kathuria, accused of causing the deaths of three UPSC aspirants. Allegations included rash driving leading to water flooding a basement. The court ruled insufficient evidence for non-bailable charges. Bail was set at Rs 50,000.

A Delhi court has granted bail to Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver accused of causing the deaths of three UPSC aspirants at an Old Rajinder Nagar coaching center. Kathuria had been charged with rash and negligent driving, causing water to flood the basement, leading to the tragic incident.

The Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar-IV granted bail on Thursday after Kathuria furnished a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount. However, the bond could not be processed as the duty judicial magistrate was not available by the time the order was delivered to the defense counsel.

The judge noted that the evidence did not sufficiently support the non-bailable charges initially brought against Kathuria under section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The court observed from CCTV footage that the driver was warned of potential danger but continued driving, leading to the basement flooding and the subsequent deaths.

The Delhi police filed a status report on Kathuria's bail plea, acknowledging that they were not pressing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Kathuria's counsel argued that all charges were bailable, making bail his right.

In an earlier hearing, Judicial Magistrate First Class Vinod Kumar dismissed bail applications from Kathuria and four others, observing that CCTV footage showed the SUV causing significant water displacement, leading to the basement flooding. Despite allegations, Kathuria's counsel argued there was no evidence of overspeeding or reckless driving.

The defense also argued that Kathuria was not responsible for waterlogging issues and that the civic authorities should be held accountable. Additionally, Kathuria's medical history was cited, arguing that continued custody posed health risks.

The Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Shrivastava, opposing the bail, presented social media evidence of Kathuria's off-road driving tendencies and argued that Kathuria, a local resident, could potentially influence witnesses and aggravate community tensions if released on bail.

(With inputs from agencies.)