Mukherjee Nagar fire incident: HC takes suo moto cognizance

The Mukherjee Nagar fire incident was brought before the Delhi High Court suo moto on Friday after the court took notice of a newspaper story and some WhatsApp messages that were going around on social media.

The judges Jasmeet Singh and Vikas Mahajan’s vacation bench took suo moto cognizance. It sent notices to the MCD, Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, and the Delhi Government, asking for a response within two weeks. The bench took notice of a newspaper report claiming that 500 pupils enrolled in a tutoring centre in a four-story structure at a DDA Commercial Centre in Mukherjee Nagar had a precarious escape on Thursday due to an electricity short circuit.

“For the said reasons issue notice to GNCTD Delhi, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police and the MCD,” the bench said.

“Delhi fire service is required to do a fire safety audit in such building to ensure that there are adequate fire safety measures as hundreds of students visit these institutes for specialised coaching,” Justice Singh directed.

Santosh Tripathi, the government’s permanent attorney, stood on behalf of the government and asked the judge to state in the order whether or not all institutes where a lot of pupils are enrolled have a fire safety certificate. Given this Incident, this is very important.

The Delhi Fire Services were then ordered to perform a safety audit, and the fire service authorities was instructed to determine whether or not these institutions had fire safety certificates.

Santosh Tripathi accepted notices issued by the high court.

The court asked the concerned to file a response within two weeks and listed the matter before the bench of the Chief Justice on 3 July.

“List this matter before a bench comprising the Honorable chief justice for the appropriate order or direction on July 3,” the bench directed.