"Playing With Lives Of Children": SC Suo Moto Issues Notice To Delhi & Central Govts On Fire Safety Norms Being Flouted By Coaching Centers In NCR

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance to look into the fire safety norms that are being adhered to by buildings and coaching institutes in the national capital region.

Taking note of the recent unfortunate incidents that took place in Old Rajender Nagar, the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued suo moto notice to the State of NCT of Delhi and the Union.

The Court was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Coaching Federation of India challenging a Delhi High Court order dated December 14, 2023. The Division Bench had directed all the coaching and tuition centres to mandatorily require compliance of fire NOCs and fire safety certificates in terms of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021, read with the safety norms for buildings/structures prescribed in Delhi.

At the outset, the Counsel appearing for the Federation submitted, "Our grievance to the order is that despite, we are being permitted to have coaching centres.."

To the submission, Justice Kant said, "Just now you want to challenge the order? At this time? In this case, suo moto, we should do something."

The Bench said, "We are dismissing your petition, but we are issuing suo moto notice to the NCT of Delhi and the Union of India to come up and tell us what safety measures and norms they are following."

"You are playing with the lives of children. These (Coaching centres) have become death chambers," Justice Kant remarked.

The Counsel submitted that there is no incident in the coaching centre by fire.

The Bench expressed displeasure over the filling of the present SLP and said, "You want us to intervene in a simple order, where some requirements of fire safety norms, as per the Master Plan, are there. You don't want to comply with that?"

The Bench further stated that after getting response from the State and Central government, if required, it will pass orders to shut down coaching centres as well. "We are not saying anything today, but we will close it (coaching centres). For the time being, let coaching be online, and unless you comply with the regulations, fire safety arrangements, etc.," the Court said.

The Court said, "The SLP, in our view, is totally frivolous and is likely to be dismissed with exemplary cost. No coaching or tuition center, not only in Delhi but within at least the NCR, should be allowed to operate unless there is meticulous compliance with the Fire Safety norms and other safety measures for the students, besides other basic amenities for a dignified human life."

The Bench clarified that such norms shall necessarily include, proper ventilation, safety passages, air, light and other requirements as may be prescribed through statutory measures/guidelines.

Additionally, the Court said, "The recent unfortunate incidents, taking away the lives of some of the young aspirants, who joined coaching centres for their career, are eye openers for all. We, therefore, deem it appropriate these proceedings, suo moto, issue notice to i) the Union of India, to the Ministry of Urban and Housing and Development, ii) The NCT of Delhi, through the Chief Secretary, to show cause as to what safety norms are being prescribed so far and, if so, what is the effective mechanism, including to ensure their compliance."

"The Attorney General of India, is requested to assist the Court, on the date fixed," the Bench added.

Furthermore, the Court imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner. "The Rs. 50,000 amount shall be deposited with the... and the rest Rs. 50,000 to be deposited with the Supreme Court Bar Employees Association," the Court ordered.

In related news, the Delhi High Court on August 2 transferred the probe into the recent incident at Rajendra Nagar, where three UPSC aspirants lost their lives due to flooding, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The three aspirants lost their lives due to drowning in the basement of the building housing Rau's Study Circle in Old Rajender Nagar, which was flooded following the recent rains in Delhi.

Cause Title: Coaching Federation of India v. Government of NCT of Delhi [Dairy No. 30149/2024]