The Rouse Avenue Court, on Saturday, extended the interim bail of Abhishek Gupta, CEO and owner of Rau's IAS Study Circle, in connection with the tragic drowning of three civil service aspirants in the basement of his coaching center.

Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna listed the matter for further hearing on January 31, 2024.

Abhishek Gupta, represented by Senior Advocate Rebecca John, sought regular bail or an extension of interim bail. Gupta had previously approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a bail condition requiring him to pay ₹2.5 crores. The High Court had also extended the interim bail of the building owners implicated in the incident until January 21, 2025.

Advocate Abhijit Anand, representing the victims, argued against the extension of interim bail, informing the court of a pending High Court petition challenging the bail.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted that while a charge sheet has been filed and cognizance taken by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Rouse Avenue, further investigation into the case is ongoing.

The deaths of the civil service aspirants prompted petitions in the Delhi High Court, with students demanding a high-level committee to investigate the incident.

During a related hearing, a High Court bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela criticized the authorities for failing to take responsibility for the tragedy. The bench also raised questions over the arrest of a passerby SUV driver, expressing concern over misplaced accountability.

On the same day, the Tis Hazari Court denied bail to the SUV driver, citing CCTV footage that reportedly showed him speeding through a waterlogged road, causing a surge of water that breached the coaching center’s basement gate. This led to the tragic flooding. However, the driver was later discharged after the police dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Subsequently, the High Court directed the CBI to take over the investigation. Interim bail was granted to the basement owners, with the court imposing a condition to pay ₹5 crores to the Red Cross Society. The funds are earmarked for student welfare and improving the regulation of coaching centers in Delhi.

The tragic incident has intensified discussions on the accountability of coaching centers and government oversight, underscoring the need for systemic reforms to ensure student safety