The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Fire Services, and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe into the July 4 fire at Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh that claimed two lives.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the authorities while hearing a petition filed by the NGO Kutumb, represented by advocate Rudra Vikram Singh. The court directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on September 24.
The fire, which broke out in the bustling Vishal Mega Mart outlet in central Delhi’s Karol Bagh, resulted in the death of two men and raised serious concerns over fire safety enforcement in congested commercial zones.
The petitioner alleged gross negligence on the part of the Vishal Mega Mart management, Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, and the MCD. The plea flagged systemic lapses in enforcement of fire safety regulations, particularly the issuance of licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to establishments operating in densely populated areas without complying with statutory norms.
The NGO further sought a direction for an independent investigation into the conduct of officials from the MCD, fire services, and police for their failure to ensure safety compliance.
The petition also demanded an assessment of whether Vishal Mega Mart and other nearby commercial establishments held valid NOCs and were operating legally. It urged the court to order the immediate shutdown of unlicensed shopping centres, eateries, coaching centres, and similar entities in the Karol Bagh area until a status report is submitted.
