Rau’s IAS Case: Delhi HC Sets Aside Financial Condition Of Rs. 2.5 Crore For Interim Bail Of CEO Abhishek Gupta

The Delhi High Court on Thursday overturned the financial condition of Rs. 2.5 crore for interim bail imposed on Abhishek Gupta, CEO of RAU’s IAS Study Circle, in relation to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants at the institution’s basement in Old Rajender Nagar in July 2024.

Court has instructed the trial court to evaluate Gupta’s bail plea based on the merits of the case. The hearing for his interim bail is scheduled for Friday at the Rouse Avenue court.

Justice Vikas Mahajan nullified the Rs. 2.5 crore financial condition that had been set by the trial court when granting interim bail to Gupta on September 23, 2024.

Previously, the High Court stayed this condition.

The High Court further pointed out that the Supreme Court had already dismissed a similar order requiring the creation of a Rs.5 crore fund for the co-accused in the case. The co-accused individuals had been granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court on January 21, 2025.

On September 23, 2024, Gupta was granted interim bail, but with the stipulation that Rs. 2.5 crore be deposited with the Red Cross.

Senior counsel Jayant Sood, representing Gupta, argued that the Supreme Court had already stayed the financial condition and that the other four co-accused, who are also co-owners of the basement, had been granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court.

On January 21, 2025, a bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula confirmed the regular bail for the four co-owners.

During a hearing on December 7, 2024, Gupta’s legal team informed the trial court that the Rs. 2.5 crore condition was being challenged in the High Court. The High Court, having already intervened, was aware that the building’s owners had sought regular bail, and the interim bail was extended until January 21, 2025.

The trial court, after reviewing the situation, acknowledged that the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court had already addressed matters concerning interim bail and compensation. The High Court had granted a stay on the financial condition on November 29, 2024, and the matter was further postponed for consideration until January 31, 2025.

In a previous ruling, the Delhi High Court granted interim bail to four co-owners of the basement connected to the deaths of the three UPSC aspirants.

Furthermore, the bench of Justice DK Sharma directed Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) to establish a committee, under the supervision of a retired High Court judge, to ensure that coaching centres are not operated in unauthorized basements across Delhi.

The court also ordered the four co-owners to deposit Rs. 5 crore to the Red Cross Society in connection with the case.

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