A tragic incident occurred at a coaching center in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi on Saturday, where flooding in the basement led to the death of one male and two female students. Following the incident, the Delhi Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been actively taking action. To date, 19 centers have been sealed. Additionally, the driver of a car that was seen speeding past the center prior to the flooding has been arrested and presented in court. The Delhi Police opposed the bail request, stating that the driver's recklessness caused the incident. The court has reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both sides.
Surveillance footage revealed that a car sped past a waterlogged road outside the coaching center, causing water to gush into the center due to the pressure breaking the gate. The police arrested the driver based on this evidence and presented him in court on Tuesday. The defense requested bail, which the Delhi Police opposed.
During the hearing at Delhi's Tis Hazari Court, both sides presented their arguments. The defense lawyer argued that the driver was merely driving the car under difficult conditions and that the police were trying to wrongfully accuse him as the primary culprit. He questioned whether he should have sought permission at every door to drive past, arguing that driving at speed is not a crime. The lawyer contended that the institution is to blame and questioned why MCD officials were notified but not the driver.
The Delhi Police argued that the case is still in the early stages. They noted that when encountering waterlogged roads, drivers usually slow down, but the accused did not. He drove recklessly, causing waves that facilitated the flooding. Being a local, he could potentially influence weak witnesses.
In response, the defense argued that the Delhi Police was arresting people unrelated to the incident and not those truly responsible. The lawyer requested that the court review the video evidence, pointing out that the brake lights were constantly on and questioning whether driving a car constitutes a crime. He added that his client’s vehicle, unlike a tractor, was not of the type to cause severe disruption. He also questioned why refunds were not given to the students by the coaching and PG accommodations if classes were suspended.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police lawyer asked for time to review the medical documents presented by the defense, which argued for bail on medical grounds. The defense reiterated that the students are still in need of coaching, and their concerns should be addressed. They emphasized that their client's health was poor and highlighted the vehicle's specifications to argue that it was not the type to cause significant damage.
