The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday asked the Gujarat government for a detailed report on a building fire that killed 23 students attending coaching classes in Surat on Friday.
The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of news reports and said in its notice that the incident amounted to a “grave violation of the human rights of the young students”. It asked the Chief Secretary to send a report in four weeks, detailing criminal cases filed against the owner of the commercial complex where the centre was located. It also wanted to know the legal status of the building and fire safety clearance given to it, and the relief to the families of the victims.
The NHRC said it appeared from the reports that there was no safe passage that could have been used as a fire exit. A mere announcement of compensation could not eliminate such hazards, and several such incidents nationwide had claimed “precious” lives because of the negligence of officials and lack of fire safety clearance.
