CBI takes over probe in Delhi IAS aspirants deaths case

CBI takes over probe into deaths of Civil Services aspirants at Rau's IAS Study Circle, sparking questions and protests.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into the deaths of three Civil Services aspirants at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27.

Three students allegedly died and several were trapped, after a nearby drain burst which led to flooding in the basement of a UPSC coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27

The agency registered the First Information Report following a Delhi High Court directive on August 2, taking into account “the seriousness of incidents and that it may involve corruption by public servants”.

The High Court has also asked the Central Vigilance Commission to appoint a senior official to oversee the CBI investigation in a time-bound manner. The Delhi police were initially conducting the probe.

While issuing the order, the High Court had wondered why the police arrested an SUV driver, who was driving past the institute where the incident took place, instead of the official who did not notice that the stormwater drain in the area was dysfunctional. It also pulled up the police for not questioning any Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials concerned, and not even seizing the relevant documents from the civic body.

The role of the Delhi Fire Services in giving clearance to Rau’s IAS Study Circle has also been called into question.

“How did the children drown? You have done an investigation now...why were they not able to come out of the basement? It doesn’t get flooded immediately. Water takes at least two-three minutes to fill a basement, it can’t happen in a minute,” the Bench had said.