Lucknow coaching centre fire: Supreme Court issues contempt of court notice to LDA vice-chairman

The Supreme Court on August 4 issued contempt of court notice to the vice-chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) over the recent coaching centre fire tragedy which claimed the lives of 15 students. [Loganathan v. State of Tamil Nadu]

A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan decided to seek explanation from LDA after noting that no effective action had been taken against those violating the sanctioned land use prescribed under the city's Master Plan.

"This Court is constrained to issue notice in the contempt proceedings, as it is an admitted position that no effective action has been taken against those who have blatantly violated the sanctioned land use prescribed under the Master Plan," the Court said.

This was after Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha informed the Court that the tragedy had occurred in a building where commercial activity was being carried on.

The Court was told that a demolition order concerning the building had been passed as far back as May 10, 2016. However, the same authority that passed the order recalled it on July 5 that year on a technical ground.

No further action was taken until the tragedy struck, the amicus told the Court.

The Lucknow fire came to the Court's attention in proceedings that originally arose from an unauthorised construction case in Chennai.

While dealing with the matter, the Supreme Court took note of the larger issue of residential areas being used for commercial purposes in violation of building and land-use norms.

The Court then widened the proceedings to examine the issue across the country and sought details from authorities in State and Union Territory capitals on residential areas being used for commercial purposes.

During the August 4 hearing, the Court noted that the LDA was not originally a party to the proceedings. However, it had filed an affidavit along with an application seeking to be impleaded (made a party).

The Court accordingly impleaded the LDA through its vice-chairman as a respondent.

The Court was also told that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted following the Lucknow fire incident and had submitted its report.

It thus directed that the SIT report be produced before it in a sealed cover at the next hearing.

The Bench further directed LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar, who was present before the Court, to remain personally present on the next date of hearing and explain why appropriate orders should not be passed against him for non-compliance with the Court's directions.

[Read Order]