Alleged illegal commercial activities in the open areas of some malls, blocking the entry or exit points, could lead to a situation like the 1997 Uphaar tragedy which had claimed 59 lives, the Delhi High Court said today.
Expressing concern over the lack of respect for public safety and security, the high court pulled up the authorities, including Delhi Police and Fire Services, for not thinking of "public safety and security".
"There is a very little respect for public safety and security in public sector. No one thinks of community. You do not think of public safety and security. You have converted a village into big restaurants," a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said.
"Look at Uphaar tragedy. Why did it happen? Because they had put seats in corridors. There are restaurants where there is no exit in back side. You go to foreign countries and see their system," it said and listed the matter for October 11.
The court was hearing a PIL alleging that commercial activities inside the open areas of two popular south Delhi malls could pose a risk to safety if there was a fire or an earthquake.
"You cannot do exhibitions in corridors and balconies. But it is happening. If you (authorities) abide by law, why would he (petitioner) come here.
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