Supreme Court Rejects Petition for National Fire Safety Framework in High-Risk Public Spaces

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a group of civil society organisations that sought the establishment of a national fire and life safety framework for high‑risk public premises such as schools, hospitals and shopping malls. The petition argued that the absence of a uniform framework had led to repeated fire incidents and loss of lives. In its order, the Court held that the petitioners had not demonstrated a clear legal basis for the creation of a new framework and that existing regulations were sufficient. The Court also noted that the matter was being addressed by the Ministry of Urban Development and the National Building Code. The decision means that the petitioners will have to seek alternative legal remedies if they wish to pursue the issue further.