The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken charge of the investigation into the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The agency registered an FIR on Wednesday, marking the formal transfer of the case from Delhi Police.

A senior CBI official confirmed that all relevant documents have been handed over by Delhi Police, and the CBI team is expected to visit the incident site soon for a detailed investigation.

This development follows the Delhi High Court’s August 2 decision to transfer the case to the CBI, citing dissatisfaction with the Delhi Police’s handling of the investigation. The incident, which occurred on July 27, saw three students drown in the basement of the coaching centre.

Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi issued a notice to the CBI regarding bail pleas filed by four co-owners of the basement. Principal District and Session Judge Anuj Bajaj Chandana has requested a status report from the CBI, noting that the case transfer process was not yet complete.

The accused have been booked under sections 105, 106(1), 115(2), 290, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in an FIR registered at Rajinder Nagar Police Station on July 27. They were arrested on July 28.

On August 5, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the issue related to safety norms in coaching centers. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that such institutes have become “death chambers” while hearing a petition filed by the Coaching Federation of India.

The court said that recent unfortunate incidents resulting in the deaths of young aspirants in coaching centers are eye-openers for all. It suggested that such institutes should operate through online classes until they fully comply with the fire and safety norms under the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021, read with the Unified Building Bye-Laws of Delhi, 2016.

(Inputs from ANI)