The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic deaths of three civil services aspirants due to flooding at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi’s Old Rajender Nagar on July 27. The court’s move comes in response to the recent disaster, highlighting serious concerns over safety standards in coaching institutions.
Court’s Observations and Orders
- Justice Surya Kant’s Remarks: Justice Kant criticized the current state of coaching centres, referring to them as “death chambers.” He expressed frustration over how these institutions are handling the safety of young aspirants.
- Rejection of Plea: The court rejected a plea by the Coaching Centre Federation, which sought relief from complying with fire and public safety norms. The federation had challenged a Delhi High Court order mandating adherence to safety regulations.
- Safety Compliance: The Supreme Court issued notices to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The court sought explanations on what safety norms have been established and the measures taken to ensure their enforcement.
Related Posts
Expanded Proceedings
- Broader Scope: The court expanded the scope of proceedings to include Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, given their proximity to the National Capital Region (NCR). Notices were also directed to the Principal Secretaries of Urban Development Departments in these states.
- Assistance from Attorney General: Attorney General R. Venkataramani has been asked to assist in the matter.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court’s intervention aims to address the systemic failures that led to the recent fatalities and to ensure that coaching centres comply with essential safety norms to protect students’ lives.