Delhi High Court Sets Aside ₹2.5 Cr Bail Condition for Rau’s IAS CEO, Allows Voluntary Contribution for Victims’ Welfare

In Abhishek Gupta v. State, 2024 SCC On Line Del 7392 the Hon’ble Delhi High Court considered a petition filed by Abhishek Gupta, CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, seeking modification of a condition imposed in his interim bail order. Gupta had been held responsible for safety under the lease agreement in connection with a tragic incident that resulted in multiple fatalities. The impugned condition required him to deposit ₹2.5 crores with the Indian Red Cross Society. A similar condition had earlier been imposed on a co-accused, but was subsequently quashed by the Supreme Court in Arvind Thakur v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1621. Following this, the High Court in Arvind Thakur v. State, 2024 SCC OnLine Del 3212, permitted a voluntary donation to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) instead. Relying on these rulings, the Court set aside the deposit condition for Gupta and directed that his interim bail would continue. The Court clarified that Gupta or others may still make voluntary contributions towards the victims’ welfare fund.