UPSC aspirants death case: After Delhi HC order, CBI takes over investigation, registers FIR against co-owner of coaching centre

New Delhi [India], August 7 : The CBI has taken over the investigation into the deaths of three UPSC aspirants who drowned in a coaching center's basement in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar after the Delhi High Court ordered the central agency to take over the case due to flaws in the Delhi Police's investigation and concerns about potential corruption by public servants.
Notably, the CBI has named only one accused in the case: Abhishek Gupta, the co-owner and CEO of Rau Coaching Centre, who had leased the building.
The CBI has not charged the four basement owners or the passerby driver, Manoj Kathuria. Gupta is facing charges under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, voluntarily causing hurt, negligent conduct regarding building maintenance, and common intention.
According to the FIR copy, a regular case is registered u/s 105/106(1)/115(2)/290/3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against Abhishek Gupta by taking over FIR dated 28.07.2024 of PS Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi.
Last week, the Delhi High Court transferred the investigation into the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in Rajendra Nagar to CBI. The court cited the seriousness of the incidents and the potential involvement of corruption by public servants as reasons for this decision.
Delhi High Court had also directed the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to nominate a senior officer to oversee the CBI probe into the deaths of the Civil Services aspirants.
The Delhi High Court directed the MCD Commissioner to ensure that drains are functional and to systematically increase their capacity if needed. The court also ordered the immediate removal of encroachments and illegal construction in the area, including any construction on stormwater drains.