The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to develop and finalize a comprehensive action plan, including a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to handle bomb threats and similar emergencies. The directive was issued in the case of Arpit Bhargava v. GNCTD Delhi, following a petition concerning bomb threats received by schools in the national capital.
Critical Directions from the Court
1. SOP Finalization:
In an order dated November 14, Justice Sanjeev Narula emphasized that the SOP must clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, school administrations, and municipal authorities. Stakeholders must be consulted during drafting to ensure seamless coordination and effective implementation.
2. Dissemination and Training:
The finalized action plan and SOP should be distributed to all concerned parties. Regular training sessions are to be conducted for school staff, students, and other stakeholders to ensure preparedness in responding to emergencies.
3. Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
The Court directed the establishment of a grievance redressal mechanism to address any issues raised by affected parties. It further advised that feedback should be used to review and update the plan to meet evolving challenges regularly.
4. Timeline for Implementation:
The Court urged the government to implement these measures within eight weeks, ensuring timely action.
Background of the Case
The petition, filed by Arpit Bhargava, highlighted the Delhi government’s failure to tackle or prevent bomb threats in schools adequately. Bhargava argued that such incidents undermine the safety of schoolchildren and reflect a collective inability to provide a secure environment.
During the hearings, the Delhi government and police submitted draft action plans and outlined measures to address the issue. The Court also considered suggestions from the Association of Unaided Schools.
Court’s Observations
- Operational Challenges:
The Court acknowledged that eliminating bomb threats in the modern world is impractical. However, it stressed the importance of proactive preparedness and operational strategies to meet these challenges.
- Government’s Responsibility:
The Court noted that while initial steps were taken, such as drafting action plans and SOPs, these efforts must be finalized and implemented immediately.
- Executive Discretion:
The Court clarified that decisions regarding operational strategies are best left to the executive and do not fall within judicial purview.
Involvement of the Petitioner
The Court permitted the petitioner to submit a detailed representation identifying specific suggestions or perceived gaps in the proposed measures. It directed the government to consider these suggestions while finalizing the action plan and SOP.
Legal Representation
- For the Petitioner: Advocates Beenashaw N. Soni, Arpit Bhargava, Hina Bhargava, Sania Yusuf, Sarthak Sharma, and Pankaj.
- For the Respondents: Advocates Kamal Gupta, Sparsh Aggarwal, Yosha Dutt, and Rashi Agarwal.
With these directions, the Court disposed of the petition, reinforcing the need for a swift and effective response framework to ensure the safety of schoolchildren in Delhi.
