PIL for fire safety audit of high-rise buildings in Odisha

In the wake of the deadly fire tragedy in a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, an activist today moved the Orissa High Court, seeking judicial intervention for fire safety audit in all high-rise commercial establishments in the state.
"The petitioner has urged that the respondents should ensure that proper fire fighting measures are in place at commercial establishments like flats, shopping malls, hotels, cinema theatres, marriage mandaps, community halls, hospitals and nursing homes," said advocate Arun Kumar Budhia, who moved a PIL in this regard.
The petition has, however, not been listed for hearing, Budhia said, adding that it may come up for hearing next week in view of the prevailing situation in the state.

At least 21 patients of a private hospital in Bhubaneswar died on Monday apparently due to asphyxiation while being shifted to other hospitals, after a fire broke out there.