Coaching Centre Tragedy: HC grants interim bail to 4 basement co-owners

The Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim bail till January 30 to four co-owners of the basement of an Old Rajinder Nagar coaching centre where three Civil Services aspirants drowned in July.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, while pronouncing the verdict on the bail pleas of the four accused, said the relief was subject to the co-owners depositing Rs 5 crore with the Red Cross.

The judge said the conduct of the co-owners was “unpardonable” and an “act of greed”. In the order, a request has been made to the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) to constitute a committee under a retired high court judge to ensure no coaching centre is permitted to run without permission.

The authorities concerned should also carve out a place for coaching centres in the Capital, Justice Sharma added.

The co-owners of the basement — Parvinder Singh, Tajinder Singh, Harvinder Singh and Sarbjit Singh — sought bail on the grounds that they are merely the landlords of the basement which was let out on rental basis to the coaching centre.