The judgment in the prolonged Kumbakonam school fire case should serve as a deterrent to those who operate educational institutions with scant respect for infrastructure and safety. The collusion between those who operate them and the government machinery is clearly established.
The judgment is fair as 10 persons, including the founder of the school, have been convicted. Although life imprisonment for him appears to be on the higher side considering his age, the act for which he has been awarded the punishment justifies the quantum.
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The verdict has not satisfied the survivors and relatives of victims of the tragedy. The law can serve only a limited purpose. One of the biggest tragedies in recent times, the Kumbakonam fire does not seem to have opened our eyes. Many schools still lack civic amenities. Infrastructure is very poor. Most schools are commercial ventures.
S. Venugopalan,Chennai