HC issues notices to govt, cops, SDMC over safety of children in schools

Based on a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party’s Bijwasan MLA, Col Devindra Sehrawat, the Delhi high court on Tuesday issued notices to Delhi Government, Delhi Police, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and Ryan International School. The PIL sought a judicial inquiry into the death of six-year-old Divyansh Meena in Ryan International on January 30 and five-year-old Ankit, who died in an MCD school in South Delhi.

A division Bench headed by Justices G Rohini and Jayant Nath also sought response from the concerned authorities on the issue of safety and the steps taken to prevent such accidents in the future. The Bench observed that the security of children inside school premises was indeed a matter of great concern and action on the issue would have to be taken by the concerned authorities to ensure their safety and it was the responsibility of the school to take care of the children inside its premises.

The death of Divyansh Meena prompted the Delhi government to order a magisterial inquiry and a safety audit of 3,500 schools in the city. Col Sehrawat, in his petition, has also demanded strict and urgent action to be taken in case of Ankit’s death in the MCD school. The petition has sought the payment of Rs 50 lakh each as compensation to the families of the children.

Besides the Judicial inquiry, Col Sehrawat has asked for immediate disaster assessment of all schools in Delhi and cancellation of licenses of those compromising on safety standards and risking lives of young children.