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Synopsis

A Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma led bench, issued directives on Thursday for the city's fire services and civic body to conduct thorough inspections of all coaching centres, examining their adherence to fire safety norms.

The bench, also comprising Justice Ravinder Dudeja, instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Fire Services to identify any "deficiencies" in the coaching centres and issue appropriate directions if they were found susceptible to fire incidents.

The court emphasized, "You will point out the deficiencies to individual coaching centres, educational centres…Give them an opportunity to ensure compliance."

A joint inspection by both MCD and Delhi Fire Services will be carried out, indicating non-conforming factors to occupants. The coaching centres will be granted time to rectify their shortcomings. The court added that if any centres are deemed hazardous, authorities can issue directions, with the affected parties retaining the right to approach the court.

Ensuring minimal disruption to instructional activities, the court clarified that coaching centres, given time to address deficiencies, should continue providing instructions to students. The court stated, "It can always be continued online."

A formal order on the inspection process, providing a holistic overview of safety norm compliance by coaching centres, will be passed by the court. The matter is scheduled for hearing in January.

The court initiated this case in response to a fire incident at a coaching centre in Mukherjee Nagar in June, stressing the importance of fire safety in coaching centres. The court had previously stated that coaching centres must comply with statutory requirements under the Delhi Master Plan (MPD), 2021, and other regulations or face closure.

An association of coaching centres, seeking a review of the interim closure order for non-compliant institutes, assured the court that they prioritize student safety. However, they highlighted challenges in complying with MPD requirements, such as having two staircases in buildings constructed in residential areas.

According to a status report filed by the Delhi Police, out of 583 coaching institutes in the capital, only 67 possess no-objection certificates from the Delhi Fire Services.

The Delhi Fire Services' status report indicated that a survey of 461 coaching centres revealed non-compliance with requisite fire prevention and safety measures under the Delhi Fire Service Act and its rules. The court, taking cognizance of a fire incident in Mukherjee Nagar where students were forced to escape using ropes, had earlier instructed local authorities to submit a status report.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.