New Delhi: Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court made a significant decision on Thursday, granting bail to Manoj Kathuria, the SUV driver involved in the unfortunate incident that led to the death of three IAS aspirants in the Old Rajender Nagar area. Let’s delve into the details.
- The Legal Battle:
- Kathuria’s counsel, Rakesh Malhotra, passionately argued before the court that his client had no association with the alleged offense. The police’s speculative involvement was deemed purely hypothetical, lacking any substantial evidence.
- In a surprising turn, Delhi Police decided to withdraw the more severe charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the SUV driver. This shift paved the way for a bail opportunity.
- The Tragic Incident:
- Five individuals found themselves in 14-day judicial custody due to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants. These young minds drowned in a flooded basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajender Nagar.
- The SUV driver’s vehicle played a crucial role in this heartbreaking event. Navigating through rainwater, inadvertently contributed to the increased water flow that breached the basement door.
- The Video Evidence:
- A video surfaced online, capturing the pivotal moments before disaster struck. Shot by a student from the coaching center, it showed Kathuria driving his Force Gurkha through the waterlogged road.
- The gate of the coaching center collapsed under the force of the water, as seen in the video. The four-wheeler splashed water onto the gate, and the subsequent frame revealed the gate seemingly giving way to the strong flow of water entering the basement.
- The “Mastikhor” Label:
- During the bail hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava used a strong term to describe Kathuria: “mastikhor” (mischievous). He presented videos from Kathuria’s social media profiles, showcasing the same SUV in action.
- The prosecutor’s assertion was clear: Kathuria’s actions, driven by a spirit of fun, inadvertently caused the tragic incident.
- Legal Charges:
- The police booked Kathuria under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the BNS (Bare Necessities Statute).
- Interestingly, Kathuria was merely dropping off his accountant and returning home when the gate suffered damage due to the force of the water.
In summary, the court’s decision to grant bail reflects the evolving legal landscape surrounding this heart-wrenching case. The tragic loss of young lives remains at the forefront, while the SUV driver’s role continues to be scrutinized.
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