New Delhi/Lucknow: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Commissioner of Police of Lucknow following a devastating fire at a multi-storey commercial building in the Uttar Pradesh capital that claimed the lives of several students and left many others injured.
Taking cognisance of a complaint related to the incident, the Commission has directed the authorities to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.
The fire broke out on June 22 in a building located in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, which housed a coaching centre, library, animation studio, and several other commercial establishments. The incident led to multiple casualties and injuries, triggering concerns about safety standards in educational and commercial facilities.
According to the complaint before the Commission, several students were allegedly trapped inside the building due to dense smoke. Some reportedly attempted to escape by jumping from the structure as the fire spread through the premises.
The complaint also raised questions regarding compliance with fire safety regulations, the availability of emergency exits and evacuation systems, and the adequacy of safety oversight by regulatory authorities.
Seeking an independent examination of the incident, the complainants urged the Commission to ensure accountability for any lapses, provide compensation to affected families, and recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
After reviewing the matter, an NHRC bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo observed that the allegations, if found true, could constitute violations of the human rights of the victims. The Commission subsequently initiated proceedings under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act.
The NHRC has directed the Lucknow District Magistrate and Police Commissioner to investigate the allegations outlined in the complaint and furnish a detailed report within the stipulated period.
In addition, the Commission has asked the Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure strict compliance with the Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centres, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Education. A separate report on adherence to these guidelines has also been sought.
The Commission’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over safety standards in educational institutions and commercial buildings frequented by students. The findings of the inquiry are expected to shed light on whether adequate safety measures were in place and whether any administrative or regulatory lapses contributed to the tragedy.
The NHRC will review the reports submitted by the authorities before deciding on any further action in the case.
