SC issues notice to Centre, Maha govt on security of hotels

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and Maharashtra government on a petition seeking laying down of security guidelines for hotels to avoid any terror attack like the 26/11 strikes in Mumbai.

The apex court also sought response from the East India Hotels Limited, owners of Oberoi Trident and Indian Hotel Company Limited, owners of Hotel Taj in Mumbai on the issue of providing compensation to the victims of terror attack.

The PIL was filed by Sarla Parekh and others who had lost their kith and kin during the Mumbai terror attack.

Advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that all hotels should have public liability insurance to provide compensation to the victims of such attacks.

She submitted that there should be some guidelines for internal security in the hotels to provide safety and security to the guests and hotels staff should also be trained to meet such emergency situations.