The Delhi High Court criticised the Centre and Indian Railways for an indifferent response to a plea seeking stronger safety measures to prevent stampedes, after a PIL was filed following the 2025 NDLS tragedy that killed 18 people there.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the Central government and Indian Railways for their indifferent response to a petition aimed at enhancing safety measures to avert stampedes at railway stations.
A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, addressed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted following a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) in February 2025, which resulted in 18 fatalities.
The PIL was initiated last year by Arth Vidhi, a group comprising lawyers, entrepreneurs, and various professionals, in light of the stampede at NDLS.
The incident occurred due to an influx of individuals traveling for the Maha Kumbh festival in Uttar Pradesh. The petition emphasized the need for appropriate implementation of the legal provisions and regulations under the Railways Act to prevent such incidents in the future.
During the first hearing of the case on February 19, 2025, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government and assured that the Railway Board would review the concerns raised at the highest levels.
However, nearly a year later, the Court noted that the government had not submitted a response to the PIL.
Chief Justice Upadhyaya remarked.
“Mr Counsel, take this matter seriously. Don’t take the court for granted…We don’t appreciate this. Just to sail through the pressure when the PIL was filed, a statement was made by the highest law officer [SG Tushar Mehta]. But thereafter, it’s been a year, and you have not even filed an affidavit,”
The Court then granted the Railways a four-week extension to submit its affidavit.
The Court instructed,
“The affidavit was to be filed by March 26, 2025. However, the said affidavit does not appear to be in sight till date. Counsel for the respondent states that various steps have been taken to prevent overcrowding, and the affidavit as required by the court vide order dated February 19 will be filed in four weeks. Time is granted. However, while filing this affidavit, the steps taken by the Railway Board shall be detailed,”
The case has been scheduled for further review next month.