Surat Coaching Centre Fire: Guj HC Notice To Govt. On PIL For Sealing Of All Buildings Violating Bye-Laws

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday issued notice to the State government and others on a PIL calling for sealing of all buildings which violate the building bye-laws and cancellation of licences of the violators to prevent a repeat of the fire tragedy that struck the coaching institute in Sarthana, Surat killing 22 students.

The court also issued notice on prayer made in the PIL that the government should bring out a mandatory fire insurance coverage for all buildings including banquets, coaching classes, schools.

The PIL has been moved by Sajeev Bhargav Ezhava, a civil work contractor from Surat through advocates Vishal Dave and Nipun Singhvi stressing how sever violations of building bye-laws are being overlooked across the State.

Besides the three prayers on which notice has been issued, the PIL also urges the court to direct constitution of a Special Investigation Team and a judicial commission to fix the accountability of public officials and private persons in the fire tragedy.

Ezhava has also prayed that a SIT be constituted to conduct probe into all FIRs registered in the matter and report be submitted before the court.

The petitioner has urged the court to direct the government agencies to ensure fire and lift safety measures in every building in accordance with the National Building Code of India, 2016 and other local laws.

He has also called for a 'Centralised Audit Mechanism' for a periodical audit of all buildings of public access such as malls, schools, educational institutions etc and a third party audit after completion of all high-rises.

The petition also prays that no completion certificate should be issued to any builder is the structure is not compliant with the laws and called for sealing of all buildings which are in violation of building bye-laws.