The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the governments of Punjab, the Union Territory of Chandigarh and Haryana, along with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited, and Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. (UHBVNL), to file a status report and clarify the measures taken by the authorities to protect innocent students attending schools and coaching centres from fire accidents by the next date of hearing, fixed for August 10.The High Court passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh.The petitioner referred to a report published in The Chandigarh Tribune on June 24, 2026, titled “Surprise Check Exposes Fire Safety Gaps.”The report stated that a surprise inspection of coaching centres operating in the commercial areas of Sector 34 by the Fire and Rescue Services Department of the Municipal Corporation revealed major violations of fire safety norms.The inspection was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Inderjeet, Joint Commissioner-cum-Chief Fire Officer, along with Station Fire Officers from different areas, in view of the recent fire incident at a coaching centre in Lucknow.During the inspection, it was found that classrooms lacked proper exit signage and that all classroom windows were covered with iron grills. At one institute, classes were being conducted in the basement in violation of building rules.Fire alarm systems installed at the entry points were found to be non-functional. The hydrant system was also found to be non-functional at one institute. At some other institutes, the operating system of the hydrants was found locked, with the keys missing.In almost all the buildings, the entry and exit points were the same. The coaching institutes inspected included Helix, Allen, Sri Chaitanya Academy, Alex, Head Master’s, Narayana, and PW Vidyapeeth.The petitioner submitted that the Supreme Court of India, while taking cognizance of fire incidents in schools in a public interest litigation, had already issued directions that, before granting recognition or affiliation, the concerned state governments and UTs must ensure that school buildings are safe and secure from every perspective and are constructed in accordance with the safety norms prescribed under the National Building Code of India.The Supreme Court had also directed that all existing government and private schools install fire-extinguishing equipment within six months.The petitioner further submitted that this measure is crucial for ensuring public safety, preventing potential electrical hazards, and complying with statutory safety clearance norms. The petitioner urged that the authorities should conduct comprehensive surveys to identify all properties located beneath high-tension and low-tension electricity lines.Formal notices should then be issued to the concerned electricity consumers or property owners, clearly outlining the safety risks, legal implications, and their responsibility to maintain the prescribed safety clearance by either removing or modifying the structures.Earlier, taking suo motu cognisance of the same news report published in The Chandigarh Tribune, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission also directed the Secretary, Local Government, Punjab; the Chief Secretary, Punjab; the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, U.T. Chandigarh; and the Chief Engineer, Municipal Corporation, U.T. Chandigarh, to ensure compliance with fire safety norms, obtain the required Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all commercial and government establishments, and submit a compliance report.