NHRC Issues Notices on Fire Safety Lapses: Upholding the Right to Life through Administrative Accountability
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of recurring fire accidents in public buildings, directing states to submit reports on safety audits. This intervention underscores the link between administrative negligence and the violation of fundamental human rights.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently issued notices to all State Governments and Union Territories following a series of tragic fire incidents in public buildings, particularly hospitals and commercial complexes. By taking suo motu cognizance, the Commission has highlighted a critical gap in urban governance: the persistent failure to implement fire safety norms, which it classifies as a grave violation of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Fire safety in India is governed by the National Building Code (NBC) and various state-specific fire safety acts. However, the NHRC observed that many high-occupancy buildings operate without valid Fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) or functional fire-fighting equipment. The Commission’s directive requires states to provide detailed reports on the number of fire safety audits conducted and the status of compliance in public-access buildings.
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