Merciful you didn't challan water: Delhi HC criticizes cops over basement deaths

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court sharply criticized the police investigation into the deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. During a hearing on Friday, a bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case, questioning the efficacy of the probe conducted so far.

Court's sarcastic remarks

"Mercifully, you have not challaned rainwater for entering the basement," the judge remarked to the Delhi Police counsel, highlighting the perceived inadequacy of the investigation. The comment was directed at the police's decision to arrest an SUV driver, Manuj Kathuria, who was accused of contributing to the flooding by driving through the rainwater-soaked streets, allegedly causing water to inundate the building's basement. Kathuria was granted bail on Thursday after the police dropped the culpable homicide charges against him.

Criticism of investigation approach

The court further questioned the police about their knowledge of who sanctioned the building plans. The Delhi Police responded that they had requested the information. This prompted the court to criticize their approach, saying, “You talk as if you are powerless. After all, you are the police. You will get everything. You can go seize files from the MCD office. You have to be told how to do this? Your officers are not novices. They should know how to do this. You think a criminal will come confess to you? No, you find it right?”

Concerns about civic oversight

The court also questioned why civic officials failed to inform the commissioner about non-functioning stormwater drains in Rajinder Nagar, suggesting a lack of accountability and concern from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials. The court emphasized that such negligence "has become a norm," urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation free from external pressures.

Tragic incident claims three lives

The tragic incident occurred on July 27, when the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle was flooded following heavy rains in Delhi, leading to the deaths of three aspiring civil servants. The High Court has instructed the Delhi Police to conduct the investigation scientifically and without succumbing to any external influences.