Court Grills CBI Over Negligence in Old Rajender Nagar Basement Death Case

During a bail plea hearing for co-owners implicated in a coaching center incident, the Rouse Avenue court questioned CBI's actions and raised concerns over negligence by civic authorities. The case revolves around waterlogging and gate collapse leading to multiple deaths.

During the bail plea hearing for four co-owners of the Old Rajender Nagar basement, the Rouse Avenue court questioned the CBI about whether a show cause notice was issued to the accused and the coaching center in August 2023. The accused claimed that Principal District and Session Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna had previously asked the CBI to place a type copy of the show cause notice on record as it wasn't tangible. The court also sought confirmation regarding the issuance and serving of the show cause notice to the co-owners. The matter will proceed further tomorrow.

The bail plea involves co-owners Harvinder, Parvinder, Tejinder, and Sarabjeet, who were arrested following deaths at a coaching center. The Court questioned whether the accused had shared the occupancy or completion certificate with the tenant during the hearing. Advocate Amit Chaddha argued that the property was commercial and intended for use as a coaching institute, not a library. He mentioned a fire safety certificate valid until July 9, 2024. The court inquired how the incident occurred, to which Chaddha stated that water had entered the basement due to a gate crash caused by an SUV driver.

The court expressed concern about the gate's weakness and asked what action had been taken against the gate's builder. The accused's counsel reported that the Delhi police did not find SUV driver Manuj Kathuria culpable under section 105 BNS, granting him bail. Advocate Chaddha suggested that the investigation agency was arresting innocent people and cited a previous student complaint from June 26. He argued that the Municipal Commissioner knew the drains were dysfunctional but took no action. The court demanded a type copy of the show cause notice issued on August 4, 2023, and raised questions about the civic agency's negligence. The matter remains under scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies.)