Telangana High Court seeks safety measures following RIMS fire tragedy

The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to submit an affidavit detailing measures taken to prevent a repeat of the fire tragedy at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad. The incident, which occurred on September 21, resulted in the deaths of five infants and injuries to 22 others.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice P. Sam Koshy and Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao ordered that the affidavit be filed by an officer of at least secretary rank. The court adjourned the matter to November 5.

The directions follow a public interest litigation seeking compensation of 50 lakh rupees for each of the families of the deceased infants. The litigation alleges that authorities failed to provide adequate safety measures and essential medical facilities. The petitioner also requested a compliance report regarding fire-safety guidelines established by the Supreme Court and the Rajasthan High Court, as well as fire-safety audits for all government hospitals across Telangana.