Delhi HC Urges Action on Fire Safety After Tragic Neonatal Home Fire

The Delhi High Court has directed the city government to make decisions on two representations regarding regular fire safety audits and the formulation of fire safety regulations for small hospitals and nursing homes. This directive follows a tragic fire incident at a private neonatal nursing home which resulted in the loss of seven newborn lives.

A bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, presiding over the court on a holiday, has stated that the two petitions concerning fire safety must be considered as representations by the government. The government is directed to make detailed, conclusive decisions on these matters within a span of four weeks.

Additionally, the court has mandated the Delhi government and the Department of Delhi Fire Service to submit an action taken report within eight weeks. The case has been scheduled for compliance reporting on August 9.

Government’s Response

Delhi government standing counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi has affirmed that the petitions are not viewed as adversarial by the government. They express willingness to incorporate fair suggestions provided by the petitioners regarding fire safety norms.

Petitions & Concerns

One of the petitions, filed by Shweta, a self-claimed social worker, seeks directives to ensure regular comprehensive fire safety audits, proper fire-fighting systems, and resolution of issues concerning insufficient electric load capacity. It also demands mandatory provisions for fire safety in coaching institutes, small hospitals, and nursing homes in Delhi.

Advocate Pradeep Sharma, representing Shweta, has highlighted data from the Delhi government’s health department, indicating that out of 1,183 registered nursing homes in the capital, 340 are operating with expired registrations. He pointed out the recent tragic incident at Baby Care New Born Hospital in Vivek Vihar on May 25, where seven infants lost their lives.

The second petition, filed by Yugansh Mittal, draws attention to the emerging pattern post the neonatal center fire incident. Advocate K C Mittal, representing the petitioner, referred to a news report stating that only 196 out of almost 1000 registered hospitals in Delhi possess fire NOCs. The plea emphasizes the need for framing basic norms applicable to smaller hospitals and nursing homes, such as installing sprinklers and automatic fire alarms.

Accountability in Tragic Incidents

In the aftermath of the Vivek Vihar hospital fire, which claimed the lives of six newborns, Dr. Naveen Khichi, the hospital owner, was arrested for violating fire-safety norms. The hospital was allegedly treating patients beyond its capacity, and its license had expired on March 31, according to officials.

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