Rajinder Nagar Incident: Delhi Court sends all accused to 4 days CBI custody, says custodial interrogation “essential for investigation”

New Delhi [India], August 31 (ANI): A month after three IAS aspirants tragically drowned in the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday ordered that all six accused be remanded to four days of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody. This follows their arrest and subsequent placement in judicial custody.

The court, referencing the order dated August 2, 2024, from the Delhi High Court, stated that custodial interrogation of the accused is essential for the ongoing investigation. This is to determine the roles of individuals potentially involved in corrupt practices or criminal negligence related to the case.

Consequently, the court remanded accused Abhishek Gupta, Deshpal Singh, Tajinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh, and Parvinder Singh to police custody for four days and ordered their production on 4 September 2024.

Additional Sessions Judge Nishant Garg said, the purpose of custodial interrogation is to aid the investigation and it is one of the effective modes of investigation into an alleged crime. It has been held by the Supreme Court that in case of serious offences, the Investigation Officer should have a free hand to continue and complete the investigation.

Appearing for CBI, Senior Public Prosecutor Prashant Kumar submitted the scope of the investigation and said the accused persons are required to be interrogated in custody.

It is further submitted that police custody of the accused persons has not been taken by the CBI so far.

Lawyers, Abhinav Chaudhary and Monica Rana appeared for the accused in the case.

Earlier on Wednesday, the court dismissed a petition filed by Abhishek Gupta, the CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, seeking to resume classes at the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar.

This request was made following the drowning incident of three IAS aspirants in the basement flooding on July 27.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the case, opposed the petition to resume classes, citing that the basement, where the drowning incident occurred, was being used as a library instead of its intended storage purpose.