New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday (May 1) issued notices to the Delhi Government’s chief Secretary and Delhi Police on a plea alleging contempt of High Court’s earlier order directing the authorities to develop a comprehensive action plan, including a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to address emergent situations such as bomb threats in schools.
Calling it a serious issue, Justice Anish Dayal said it required the urgent attention of authorities concerned when hoax calls had become very common and it troubled children, their parents and schools.
What did the High Court order in its November 14, 2024 order?
The High court in its November 14, 2024 order, while directing authorities to develop a comprehensive action plan within eight weeks, had said that the SOP must clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, school management, and municipal authorities, to ensure seamless coordination and implementation.
“The respondents must formulate an effective strategy to address bomb threats and prevent potential disasters, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and through coordinated efforts between various agencies, including law enforcement, municipal authorities, and representative bodies of school administrations,” the High Court had said in its November 14, 2024 order.
What has the petitioner said?
Alleging inaction and negligent approach of the Delhi government and Delhi Police in addressing the recurring bomb threat emails received by several schools in the national capital, petitioner advocate Arpit Bhargava claimed that the eight-week period granted by the High Court got over on January 14, 2025, but there was no intimation on either on the formulation or implementation of any detailed action plan or SoP in line with the November 14, 2024 order of the High Court.
“Continued failure of the contemnors/respondents to implement the directions of this court has left the school ecosystem across Delhi vulnerable to the recurring menace of bomb threats,” the petitioner said.
High Court on Thursday sought an update on the matter
The High Court on Thursday sought an update on the matter and posted the matter for hearing on May 19, when government and police officials have been asked to remain present, news agency PTI reported.
