Karnataka HC Issues Notice To Centre, HAL On A Plea Seeking Probe In To Fire Incident At The Yelahanka Airbase

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Union Government, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Commissioner of Police, and Director General and IGP Home Guards and Fire and Emergency Services, while hearing public interest litigation, seeking a one-man judicial commission probe into the fire Incident that Destroyed About 300 Cars At The Yelahanka Airbase, during the International Air Show, held in February.

Justice H T Narendra Prasad and Justice Ashok S Kinagi issued the notice while hearing a petition filed by Retired Wing Commander G B Athri and Geetha Misra. Advocate G R Mohan appearing for the petitioners said the respondents have been directed to file their objections, on the next date of hearing.

The International Air Show, was held between February 20 to 24. On February 23, there was fire mishap at the parking area in which more than 300 cars were fully burnt. Athri, had given complaint on February 24 to the respondents seeking investigation into the cause of fire and enormous disaster during the AIR Show event.

HAL replied to him stating that no parking fee was levied/collected on from any of the exhibitors/visitors, who parked their cars in the parking area where fire incident took place. Even after a lapse of more than seven months as there were no concrete steps taken by the respondents, the petitioners have approached the court.

The plea states that respondents have not taken sufficient care while organizing the AIR Show at Yelahanka Air Force. As per the relevant portion of Guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Government of India, the respondents ought to have taken sufficient precautionary measures while organising such an event where huge crowd gathered. Authorities, have failed to comply with the laws.

When the public and other dignitaries were watching the Air Show a fire disaster has taken place in the parking area and no one is aware about the same as there was no control room or CCTV at the Parking Area.

By way of interim relief seeks directions to respondents to submit a detailed report as to what action has been taken so far in relation to fire accident.