The SC automatically takes note of the safety standards in training centres

New Delhi[India]August 5 (ANI): In the wake of the recent death of three UPSC students in Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Monday took its own cognizance of the issue related to safety norms at coaching centres.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that these institutes have become ‘death chambers’ while the Supreme Court was considering the petition filed by the Coaches Federation of India. The court dismissed the appeal filed by the Coaches Federation of India against the Delhi High Court order.

The court took note of the recent incident in Old Rajinder Nagar area of ​​Delhi and orally stated, “These places (coaching centres) have become death chambers. You are taking away the lives of youth from different parts of the country.” The court said that the recent unfortunate incidents of claiming the lives of some of the aspiring youth who joined the coaching centres to pursue their careers is an eye-opener for all. The court further suggested that these institutes should function through online classes till they fully comply with the safety and fire norms as laid down in the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021 read with the Delhi Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2016.

The Supreme Court also recommended that the standards include adequate ventilation, safety passages, air and light.

The Supreme Court asked the Centre, through the Ministry of Urban Affairs and the Delhi government, to justify the safety norms prescribed so far and, if so, what is the effective mechanism in place for their compliance. The Court issued a notice to the Central government and the Delhi government on the safety norms relating to the running of training institutes.

Meanwhile, the court dismissed the petition of the Coaches Federation of India challenging the Delhi High Court’s directions regarding non-compliance with safety norms at Mukherjee Nagar. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner and directed him to deposit an amount with the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates’ Association.

Three students drowned in the basement housing a coaching centre in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar area, which was flooded following heavy rains in the national capital last week. (ANI)