Fire Saftey First: Delhi High Court.
Amidst increasing cases of fire accidents all over the country as a result of violating fire safety norms, the Delhi High Court warned community halls and banquet halls in Delhi functioning without proper license and those working in violation of fire norms.
Justice Shanker and Justice Patel, after hearing the contentions of the petitioners Arpit Bhargava and Varun Talwar that prior permission was not being sought from respective authorities by most of the community halls and banquet halls in Delhi before organising events and also, that fire safety norms and other safety measures were not being complied by them, held that notices be sent to such halls that do not comply with the norms. The court said, “If they don’t listen, bring them to us.”
The court ordered that in 4 weeks’ time, the Delhi government as well as the local bodies shall file a report regarding the issue. The report will include:
The list of community halls and banquet halls running without proper licenses and approval.
The list of community halls and banquet halls violating fire norms and other norms which ultimately impacts the public.
The number of notifications served, to whom they were served and what numbers of them were not conformed to.
