Coaching centre deaths: Delhi HC grants bail to basement co-owners

Delhi High Court grants bail to building co-owners of coaching centre where three aspirants drowned, no corruption angle found.

The Delhi High Court has granted bail to the co-owners of a building’s basement having a coaching centre where three civil services aspirants drowned in July, 2024.

Justice Sanjeev Narula prima facie found merit in the accused’s contention that their role was limited to being owners of property where the incident occurred and there was no material to indicate an “angle” of corruption at this stage.

The judge held it was a “fit case” for relief to the accused persons, who were on interim bail in the matter.

“On a prima facie view, (the court) finds merit in the contention that the role of the applicants was limited to being owners of property where the incident occurred. Moreover, the investigation regarding the aspect of corruption, is stated to be pending on the end of the CBI,” the court said.

The order, passed on January 21, however, observed there was “no material placed on record” either in the status report or otherwise to indicate an angle of corruption against them.

“Accordingly, the order dated September 13, 2024, granting interim bail is now confirmed as regular bail on the same terms and conditions,” it said.

The court said the object of granting bail was neither punitive nor preventative but to secure the attendance of the accused person during trial.