The Supreme Court on Monday stressed the need for safety guidelines for children in schools across India which makes authorities accountable and result in adverse consequences upon them in cases of violation.
Appearing before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar, for the Centre, said it had made three additions to the school safety guidelines on three separate occasions and handed it over to the States for implementation.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the father of Pradyuman, who was found brutally murdered on the premises of Gurugram's Ryan International School.
Mr. Kumar said the Centre has also modified the National Disaster Management guidelines, specifically focusing on the safety of school children, and to prevent the occurrence of such tragic incidents.
Highlight accountability
“The guidelines should be followed with absolute strictness.
“The action plan should highlight accountability and the visitation of adverse consequences,” Chief Justice Misra said.
The Centre said it has already prepared an affidavit on the steps taken and would file it in the Supreme Court in the course of the day.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had recently filed an affidavit stating that the Gurugram incident took place due to the “negligence” of the administration as drivers and conductors were allowed to use washrooms meant for students.