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A massive fire broke out at Lucknow's Levana Suites that left four people dead and eleven injured. Subsequently, the hotel was found in possession of the NOC of the fire department despite a clear lack of several fire-related safety rules on its part.
The Allahabad High Court has asked the State government of Uttar Pradesh to form a High Powered Committee consisting of two Additional Chief Secretaries and the Director General of Police to scrutinise the report and the recommendations made by the earlier committee into the massive fire incident in Hotel Levana Suites at Lucknow .
The bench of Justice Alok Mathur said that "it is expected that a thorough inquiry be held as to how such infraction of rules and regulations has taken place despite a detailed regulatory mechanism has been put in place for grant of all licences/No Objection Certificates".
It has been alleged that Hotel Levana Suites was in possession of the NOC of the fire department even when there was a clear lack of fire escape management system and violation of several fire-related safety rules on its part.
The high court has ordred that the High Powered Committee, which is to be constituted by the Chief Secretary, Government of U.P., Lucknow, shall ensure that all the responsible persons manning various regulatory and licencing authorities are proceeded against.
The High Powered Committee has also been directed to consider the recommendation of the earlier Committee and oversee that all the rules and regulations are modified so as to ensure strict compliance of the same.
The earlier committee, consisting of Lucknow Police Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner, on September 9, had concluded that various regulatory authorities had failed in discharging their duty that led to the fire incident.
The high court issued the abovesaid directions while dismissing a writ petition moved by the Chief Fire Officer, Lucknow challenging his suspension order in contemplation of departmental proceedings with regard to the fire incident.
The court has further ordered that the High Powered Committee shall not be constrained by the report of the earlier Committee dated 09/09/2022 but may also make its own recommendations in the public interest with the object of securing safety and security of public at large.
A massive fire broke out at Hotel Levana Suites in September, following which, the high court took suo motu cognizance of the incident. Court had stated, "It appears that several hotels, coaching centres, hospitals and commercial establishments are operating across the city of Lucknow without validly sanctioned maps and fire safety measures, with total impunity." The hearing in the PIL is pending before a division bench of the high court.
Case Title: Vijay Kumar Singh v. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home. Govt. Up Civil Sectt. Lko. And 6 Others
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