Surat: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a report from the Gujarat chief secretary on Monday about compensation paid to kin of deceased and injured in Takshashila Arcade fire on May 2019 in which 22 students had lost their lives.
In its letter, NHRC held the state and its officials responsible for negligence that led to the incident. Multiple complaints related to the incident were filed with NHRC by RTI activist Sanjay Ezhava.
Ezhavam had submitted an application on May 28, 2019 to NHRC demanding a high-level investigation following which the commission sought inquiry and investigation reports from Gujarat government, Surat’s district magistrate, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Surat police commissioner.
NHRC held the state and its officials responsible for the incident based on the inquiry reports submitted to it.
The letter by NHRC to chief secretary states, “As the report clearly suggests negligence on the part of officials of the state government, the state is vicariously liable for the act of its officials. Since the report is silent as regards monetary compensation if any is provided to the victims injured or deceased, let further report be submitted by the state government on the said aspect.”
“Registry is therefore directed to issue notice to the Chief Secretary State of Gujarat to furnish details of compensation if any remitted to injured or the next of kin of the deceased,” the letter states. NHRC sought a report related to compensation paid to the victims within four weeks.
“The government has paid Rs 4 lakh each to the deceased while we are demanding Rs 50 lakh to each victim’s family. We have also filed a PIL in the Gujarat high court raising various issues related to the fire,” Ezhava told TOI.
NHRC also stated in its letter that SMC and police have taken swift actions in steps to be taken after the incident. “The municipal corporation has taken all possible steps to control the fire and rescue operation. The police action and administrative action were taken swiftly,” states the NHRC letter.