Pb Hry High Court Directs Against Coaching Institutes Operating in Basements. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the UT Administration, Chandigarh, to conclude proceedings within three months against coaching institutes operating in basements in violation of the Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017.
This order was issued by a bench of Chief Justice and Justice Sumit Goel while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Nikhil Thamman. The petitioner had sought immediate closure of coaching institutes running in basements without fire safety certificates alleging violation of Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017 and Chandigarh Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 1991.
It was pointed out that the unchecked growth of coaching institutes, particularly in highly congested areas such as Sector 34 and Sector 17, poses a grave safety risk to students. Petitioner considered the absence of oversight and said that such violations pose a threat to lives and further undermine public safety.
The UT Administration apprised the court that Misuse Branch and Building Branch of the Estate Office conducted inspections. Violations were found in 28 SCOs with seven allottees and occupiers being served show-cause notices under relevant rules. Further inspections at 76 SCOs revealed more violations. Detailed reports leading to correcting measures were submitted on the same.
Show-cause notices issued under Rule 10 and Rule 14 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007, were issued to violators, giving them two months to rectify misuse. Their sites could be canceled if they did not comply. An inspection schedule was also provided for examination of the remaining coaching institutes, with findings submitted in December 2024.
As per Rule 10 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007, allottee/lessees have been given two months’ time to rectify the misuse violations. Misuse charges will be levied, to be borne by the occupiers. Failure to comply will result in proceedings for the resumption or cancellation of the site under Rule 14 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007.
Furthermore, the Tehsildar, Estate Office, Chandigarh, issued an inspection schedule on September 10, 2024, to ensure thorough checks of all remaining coaching institutes under the jurisdiction of the Estate Office. The inspection reports were due by December 11, 2024 and as per the Inspection report one more show cause notice was issued.
After the Show cause notice sent to various coaching institutes by U.T Administration in regard to the violation, today counsel for the U.T Administration contended before the bench that further proceedings against the violators is pending before Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sector-34, Chandigarh and rest will be taken care by SDM.
Hon’ble Bench disposed of the petition giving directions to Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sector-34, Chandigarh to conclude the aforesaid proceedings pending before him regarding violations committed by the Coaching Institutes (documents showing the names of the institutes and other is attached) within 3 months positively/expeditiously.
This order reflects the court’s commitment towards the safety compliance and regulatory adherence in the operation of coaching institutes, especially those operating from unsafe basements.