Manoj Kathuria, SUV Driver Who Drove Past Delhi Coaching Centre Before 3 Students Drowned, Gets Bail

Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court on Thursday granted bail to Manoj Kathuria, the SUV driver in the unfortunate death of three IAS aspirants in the Old Rajender Nagar area. Kathuria’s counsel argued before the court that he was not associated with the said offence in any manner whatsoever.

All involvement as being speculated by the police authorities is completely hypothetical and there is no material to support any allegation, said Kathuria’s counsel, Rakesh Malhotra.

Police Implicated Manoj Kathuria In ‘Over-enthusiasm’: Court

The Court said that Delhi Police implicated Kathuria in “over-enthusiasm”.

ACJ Manmohan questioned the Delhi Police on the arrest of the SUV driver, stating that everyone was trying to protect each other’s back.

“What is police doing catching passersby-driver saying that ‘because you have passed so water has entered the basement’. Have you questioned a person who has not done the desilting?” the ACJ remarked.

The bench also said that because of the “freebie culture”, the Delhi government has no money to upgrade the infrastructure, particularly the city’s drainage system.

During the hearing, Delhi Police informed the court that they had decided to withdraw the more serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the SUV driver.

The court stated that since culpable homicide is not made out as per Delhi Police, other sections are bailable.

Five people were sent to 14-day judicial custody over the death of three UPSC aspirants who drowned in a flooded basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajender Nagar, including the driver whose vehicle, navigating through rainwater, contributed to the increased water flow that breached the basement door.

Video Shows Moments SUV Drives By Moments Before Water Entered Into Basement Of Coaching Center

In a video that surfaced on the internet, reportedly shot by one of the students of the coaching centre, Kathuria could be seen driving his Force Gurkha through the waterlogged road. The video showed the gate of the coaching centre collapsing due to the force of the water.

The video showed a four-wheeler passing through the water accumulated on the road outside the institute, splashing it on its gate. In the next frame, the gate of the institute could be seen seemingly coming down due to the strong flow of water that can be seen entering the basement.

Delhi Police on Tuesday had opposed the bail plea of Kathuria calling him “mastikhor“. During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava appearing for Delhi Police played some videos taken from Kathuria’s social media profiles showing him driving the same SUV and said, “I am sorry to use this term. But he is mastikhor aur masti mein inhone ye sab kar diya (He is mischievous. In having fun he caused the incident).”

According to the police, Kathuria was booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the BNS, among others. Police said Kathuria was dropping off his accountant and returning home when the gate got damaged due to the force of the water.