May 31, 2019:
Delhi high court on Thursday sought a response from the AAP government, Delhi Police and the fire department on a PIL seeking to know the fire safety preparedness of all private coaching centres running in the commercial and residential areas of the capital.
A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi issued a notice to the authorities and asked them to place their stand while hearing a petition by a lawyer who alleged that such centres ignore the fire safety rules.
Referring to the recent fire at a coaching centre in Surat, Gujarat, that claimed 22 lives, including 18 girls, the petitioner, Madhumita Kothari, highlighted that the authorities have to perform their duties “with greater vigil and efficiency” to prevent such a tragedy from occurring in Delhi.
Kothari said many private coaching centres in Delhi do not have the fire safety devices or properly marked exit paths, and there are no emergency exit plans in case of fire, earthquake or building collapse. The petition contended that Delhi government should create laws to regulate the establishment and operation of private coaching centres mushrooming across the city. Besides, it said, fire services need to ensure safety devices are properly installed and maintained by carrying out periodic audits, and police should prosecute the violators.
The plea has alleged that none of the authorities have performed their duties of ensuring safety and security to the children at the private coaching centres. It also wants HC to examine “how such institutes were allowed to operate in overcrowded commercial complexes, crowded residential villages vertically on the higher floors above restaurants and high fire risk establishments across Delhi”.
Kothari has sought a direction to the government to ensure the coaching centres comply with the fire safety norms, install adequate up to date fire safety devices, have illuminated and spacious exit paths and emergency exit plans.
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