NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday granted regular bail to Abhishek Gupta, CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, in connection with the drowning death of three UPSC aspirants in the basement of the coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar in July 2024. Gupta was granted bail on a bond of Rs 1 lakh and given two weeks to deposit Rs 25 lakh with the Delhi Legal Service Authority (DLSA).
Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna had earlier reserved the order after hearing arguments from respective counsels.
During the hearing, senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Gupta, said the Delhi High Court had set aside the financial condition of Rs 2.5 crore imposed earlier.
She contended that the probe had been completed, a charge-sheet had already been filed by the CBI, and Gupta had been on interim bail since September 2024. She further informed the court that Gupta was willing to voluntarily contribute Rs 25 lakh to the DLSA.
However, the CBI opposed the bail pleas, asserting that granting bail would send a wrong message. The senior public prosecutor representing the probe agency maintained that the case involved serious irregularities and required a stringent legal approach.
The complainant's counsel also opposed the plea saying the building was not authorised for educational use and its fire safety clearance was obtained fraudulently, he argued.
Basement horror
Three civil service aspirants died after the basement of a building housing the coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar was flooded following heavy rain on July 27. The CBI filed a case under sections of criminal negligence, dereliction of duties and corrupt practices, including those by officials and local authorities. Notably, the Delhi High Court has already granted regular bail to the four co-owners of the coaching institute building.
