The Delhi High Court has

directed the AAP government, its fire department, and municipal authorities to

take action against buildings, including sealing them, for lacking fire safety

measures.

A bench of Chief Justice

D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued the direction while disposing of a

PIL seeking the sealing of two buildings in the Azadpur commercial complex for

alleged non-compliance of fire safety norms. The court disposed of the petition

after the North Delhi Municipal Corporation filed an affidavit stating that

both of the buildings were issued fire safety certificates on June 14.

As the petition had also sought sealing of all other buildings in the

city which were not complying with fire safety norms, the bench said: "As

and when any building is lacking in fire safety measures, action shall be

initiated by the respondents (authorities) in accordance with law, rules,

regulations and government policies applicable to the facts of the case as

early as possible and practicable". It further said that if any of the

fire safety measures are not installed in such buildings, they are at liberty

to seal the premises or to take other action in accordance with law.