Lucknow: A Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court has directed state govt and other concerned authorities to file comprehensive counter affidavits in a public interest litigation arising out of the Aliganj fire tragedy, warning that ‘evasive replies will not be accepted’.A bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla was informed by the state govt and the UP Avas Evam Vikas Parishad that a standard operating procedure (SOP) to strengthen enforcement of fire safety norms and building regulations is almost ready. They sought one week’s time to place the SOP and their replies on record.The bench directed that the affidavits must deal with every issue raised in the PIL as well as the concerns highlighted in its previous order, when it had questioned the state’s regulatory mechanism following the fire at a three-storey commercial establishment in Aliganj that claimed 15 lives. The court had then observed that authorities become active only after tragedies and had called for a comprehensive SOP to ensure strict monitoring of fire safety norms, building plan compliance and accountability of erring officials.Meanwhile, the parents of some of the victims have been allowed to intervene in the proceedings. The court directed that copies of all counter affidavits be supplied to the petitioner, the amicus curiae and the intervenors by Aug 12. Counsel for the Lucknow Nagar Nigam informed the court that its counter affidavit had already been filed. The matter has been posted for next hearing on Aug 24.
