Mumbai: Bombay High Court Slams Maharashtra State Government Over Fire Safety

Mumbai, 7th December 2023: The Maharashtra State Government faced severe criticism from the Bombay High Court over its lackadaisical approach to implementing fire safety regulations, with the court deeming the issue “very, very serious” and expressing zero tolerance for negligence. Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor emphasized the gravity of the situation, particularly following a recent tragic fire incident in South Mumbai that claimed the lives of two family members.

The court raised concerns about the escalating frequency of fire incidents in the city, questioning the government’s commitment to ensuring citizen safety. Chief Justice Upadhyaya queried the government’s intentions, stating, “Is this what you (government) want for the people in this city…to lose their loved family members like this?”

In 2019, Advocate Abha Singh filed a public interest litigation, aiming to enforce the 2009 draft special rules and regulations for fire safety in buildings susceptible to man-made disasters. These regulations were devised in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. During the hearing, Singh pointed out a 2022 order for the submission of the draft and committee recommendations, which the government acknowledged had not been fulfilled.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the delay, questioning whether it was their role to prompt the government at every step. Chief Justice Upadhyaya stated, “This is not done. Are we sitting here to prompt you (the government) for every action? Is this our job? What is all this happening here?” Emphasizing the unacceptability of any laxness, the court directed the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department to provide a specific timeline on Friday regarding the necessary steps to address the issue.