03 August 2024: Hearing in Old Rajinder Nagar case today, know other events

Last Updated on 03/08/2024 by wccexam Desk

In a significant development, the Delhi High Court on Friday transferred the investigation into the drowning of three UPSC aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court highlighted the gravity of the incident and the potential involvement of corruption among public officials as key reasons for this directive.

During the hearing, the High Court bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, lambasted the Delhi Police for their handling of the case. The court questioned the arrest of Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver accused of causing the flooding of the coaching centre basement, calling the action against him unfair.

The High Court also criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its failure to maintain the storm water drains in the area. The bench noted that the civic authorities had not even seized the relevant files from the MCD office, which could have been crucial evidence.

MHA Committee Probing the Incident

Earlier on July 29, the Union Home Ministry constituted a high-level committee, headed by an Additional Secretary, to investigate the incident. The committee, which includes officials from the Delhi government and Delhi Police, is expected to submit its report within 30 days.

Delhi Government Issues Safety Guidelines for Educational Institutions

In response to the tragedy, the Delhi Government has introduced new safety guidelines for educational institutions. The guidelines mandate that any school building with a basement must use the space only for activities permitted by the Master Plan for Delhi and according to the sanctioned plan.

Coaching Institutes Offer Compensation to Victims’ Families

At least four UPSC coaching institutes – Vajiram and Ravi Institute, Drishti IAS, NEXT IAS, and SRIRAM’s IAS – have offered ₹10 lakh each to the families of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni and Nevin Dalvin, the three IAS aspirants who lost their lives in the incident.

The Delhi High Court’s decision to transfer the case to the CBI and its scathing remarks on the authorities’ handling of the investigation have brought the spotlight back on the urgent need to address the city’s crumbling infrastructure and the lack of accountability among public officials. As the nation mourns the tragic loss of young lives, it is hoped that this case will serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to prioritize safety and infrastructure upgrades in the capital.

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