HC takes up DC reports on Swapnalok fire mishap as suo motu PIL

Hyderabad: Taking cognizance of a series of reports published in Deccan Chronicle on the Swapnalok Complex fire tragedy in Secunderabad, the Telangana High Court initiated suo motu public interest litigation and named several higher officials as respondents, including the Chief Secretary.

The Chief Secretary, principal secretary of municipal administration, GHMC commissioner, DGP, commissioner of police, Hyderabad DG for the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, Hyderabad district collector and the member secretary of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority and others were listed as the respondents in the suo motu PIL.

The PIL will come up for hearing before the High Court in a day or two. The court took cognizance of reports published in Deccan Chronicle on March 17, 18, and 19. In one report, DC highlighted how the management of the Swapnalok complex ignored putting fire-fighting equipment in place despite a similar mishap occurring in 2011.