Nine people died when a bus near Haryana’s Nuh district caught fire as others were sleeping inside a little more than a week ago. The tragedy in Rajkot was just waiting to happen. With the start of the summer break, the game zone was bustling with families out for a weekend getaway.
The location, according to the police, lacked a no-objection certificate from the local fire department and insufficient firefighting equipment.According to the FIR, the proprietors of the business put people’s lives in danger even though they were aware that a fire on the property could result in fatalities and serious injuries.
Source: News 18
The Gujarat High Court declared the matter to be prima facie a “man-made disaster” after taking suo motu cognizance of it. The court noted that these gambling areas and leisure centres had opened without the required permissions from relevant authorities. A comprehensive investigation is necessary to prove criminal carelessness that caused the startling incident, even though the police have filed charges against six people who were in charge of the playing zone.
It must be determined if local authorities granted the owners any leniency or concession. The Human Rights Commission (HC) has justifiably requested information about the licences and permits—including the one pertaining to adherence to fire safety standards—that were granted to different entertainment areas falling under the purview of municipal corporations.
Source: Mint
It is clear that fire safety regulations are being flagrantly disregarded. Punishment for such a callous disregard for human life is imperative. Regretfully, it appears that the 1997 Uphaar fire catastrophe taught no lessons. The policy going forward should be zero tolerance for infractions. To spur the nation’s authorities into action, a national audit is urgently needed.
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