SUV Driver Arrested for Speeding Near Coaching Centre’s Basement Released on Bail

New Delhi:

An SUV operator who drove on a flooded road next to a tutoring center before its basement became flooded, leading to the deaths of three students, has been released on bail on a bond of Rs 50,000.

Earlier today, the Delhi Police informed a court that they have chosen to withdraw the severe accusation of ‘manslaughter not rising to the level of murder’ against the SUV operator in the tutoring center fatality case.

Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar was presiding over an appeal against the refusal of bail to Manuj Kathuria by a lower court on Wednesday.

“The bail has been granted,” the judge declared.

Mr. Kathuria was charged with driving his Force Gurkha vehicle through the flooded street, causing the water to rise and breach the gates of the three-story building housing the tutoring center and flood the basement.

Explaining the reason for dropping the ‘manslaughter not amounting to murder’ charge against Mr. Kathuria, the police stated, “After further investigation conducted in the last 48 hours, it has been revealed that the elements of the Indian Penal Code section 105 (manslaughter not amounting to murder) are not sufficiently established at this stage.”

“This can be better evaluated once the expert team from IIT-Delhi inspects the site and submits its findings after the inspection. Therefore, for now, the primary offense against the accused is under Sec 281 IPC (reckless driving on a public road) for which the court is requested to make suitable orders as deemed appropriate,” the investigating officer added.

On Wednesday, the lower court, considering the offense as “serious”, refused bail to Mr. Kathuria, stating that the plea was “untenable at this point.”

The denial of bail by the lower court came shortly after a Delhi High Court bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan criticized the police for their “peculiar” investigation by arresting the driver.

“What is Delhi Police up to? Have they lost their minds? What are its officials overseeing the investigation doing? Is this a cover-up or something?” the high court remarked while hearing a petition requesting an investigation into the incident.

Mr. Kathuria was apprehended on Monday along with four co-owners of the basement. On Sunday, a lower court had remanded Rau’s IAS Study Circle owner Abhishek Gupta and coordinator Deshpal Singh to 14-day judicial custody.

With information from PTI