Basement Deaths: Delhi Court Reserves Order On Bail Plea Of SUV Driver

The Delhi court on Tuesday has reserved its decision on the bail plea of Manuj Kathuria, an SUV driver arrested in connection with the flooding of a coaching center’s basement in Old Rajinder Nagar, which resulted in the deaths of three civil services aspirants.

Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar reserved the order regarding Kathuria’s bail. Kathuria is accused of driving his Force Gurkha car through a rain-flooded street, causing water to breach the gates of the three-story building and flood the basement.

Kathuria’s counsel argued for his bail, asserting that Kathuria had no knowledge or intention of causing the incident. However, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava opposed the bail plea, claiming Kathuria was guilty of “contributory negligence” and had exacerbated the situation.

The APP presented videos from Kathuria’s social media accounts, showing him driving the same SUV. Srivastava stated, “I am sorry to use this term. But he is mastikhor aur masti mein inhone ye sab kar diya… In having fun he caused the incident.”

The public prosecutor also argued that the police investigation is still in its early stages and that Kathuria, if released on bail, might influence witnesses. In response, Kathuria’s counsel contended, “The Delhi Police is arresting people not related to the case; how can I be blamed for the incident?”

The court’s decision on the bail plea is awaited.

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