HC seeks fresh report on functioning of Hyatt Regency

The Delhi High Court today called for a fresh status report on whether any action has been taken to address deficiencies pointed out by Delhi Police in the functioning of luxury hotel Hyatt Regency where a youth suffered serious injuries after accidentally falling from the sixth floor last October.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru sought the report from the licencing authority, within two weeks, saying, "We want to know whether the deficiencies pointed out in the previous status reports were addressed. We can't afford to have another incident like this."
The report shall also indicate the status of the licence of the hotel, the court said, while observing it is a "serious issue" that needs to be "followed up" by the authorities as "deficiencies pointed out involves an issue at large".

Hyatt, represented by senior advocate Amit Sibal, contended there are no violations of licence terms on its part and the deficiencies pointed out in the earlier status reports are incorrect.
"Our licence has been renewed till 2015. The violations or deficiencies pointed out in the earlier status reports are incorrect," Sibal said and added that the petition, filed on behalf of the victim Gaurav Rishi, was not maintainable.
The court granted the hotel the liberty to file its reply to the petition before the next date of hearing.

During the proceedings, advocate Sana Ansari, appearing for Deputy Commissioner of Police, Licencing, said the hotel's licence to operate was renewed in June based on the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) received from south Delhi municipal corporation, fire department and other authorities.

Senior advocate A S Chandhiok, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the earlier status reports point out 11 violations by the hotel and questioned how the hotel's licence be renewed in view of such deficiencies.
He further contended the hotel's licence should be cancelled or not renewed as four similar incidents have taken place there and the establishment is a "security hazard".