Decide Plea For Implementation Of Fire Safety Norms In Nursing Homes Within Four Weeks: High Court To Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to decide within four weeks a representation to frame basic norms on fire safety and sprinklers that could be implemented by smaller hospitals and nursing homes in the national capital.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan directed the Delhi Government to treat as representation a PIL filed by one Yugansh Mittal and decide the same by way of a reasoned order in accordance with law.

“The respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall file an Action Taken Report before this Court within eight weeks,” a bench also comprising of Justice Manmeet PS Arora said.

The PIL was filed in the wake of a recent incident which happened on May 26 at Baby Care New Born Hospital in city's Vivek Vihar. Fire broke out in the hospital leading to the death of seven new-borns.

The plea sought direction on the authorities to inspect smaller hospitals and nursing homes in the city regarding compliance of already established fire safety norms under the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010.

Mittal relied upon a recent news report stating that out of almost 1000 hospitals registered with the Delhi Government, only 196 have fire NOC.

It was his case that for smaller buildings, some basic fire safety norms such as fire extinguishers and automatic fire alarms must be adhered to as lack of any enforceable norms for buildings under the height of 09 meters constitutes a danger to human life.

Delhi Government's counsel told court that it was not an adversarial proceeding and that the government was willing to incorporate all just and fair suggestions in the fire fighting norms.

“Consequently, this Court disposes of the present writ petition by directing respondent Nos.1 & 2 to treat the present writ petition as a representation and to decide the same by way of a reasoned order in accordance with law within four weeks,” the court said.

The matter will now be heard on August 09 for monitoring of the Action Taken Report.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. K.C Mittal and Mr. Keshaw Punia, Advs

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Santosh Kumar Tripathi, SC, GNCTD, Mr. Anuj Aggarwal, ASC, GNCTD with Ms. Arshya Singh, Ms. Mehak Rankawat, Advs. for Respondent Nos. 1,2,3; Ms. Shilpa Ohri, ASC, MCD

Title: YUGANSH MITTAL v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 689

Click here to read order