Mukherjee Nagar Coaching Centre Fire: Delhi High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Seeks Response From Authorities

The Delhi High Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance of an incident of fire which broke out at a coaching institute in city’s Mukherjee Nagar yesterday.

A vacation bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan issued notice to the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The authorities has been directed to file their responses within two weeks.

The court also directed the Delhi Fire Service to examine the fire certificate and building sanction of all coaching centres in the national capital. 

“Delhi fire service is required to do a fire safety audit in such building to ensure that there are adequate fire safety measures as hundreds of students visit these institutes for specialised coaching,” the court ordered.

As per media reports, around 61 people were admitted to three hospitals in the national capital after a fire broke out in a coaching centre building in Mukherjee Nagar yesterday.

Out of 61 people, there were 60 students and one guard. 50 students have been discharged from hospitals while the remaining 11 including the guard are under treatment, as per reports.

An FIR has also registered in Mukherjee Nagar under sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code after the fire incident. The investigation is under progress.