In Brief
A fire tragedy at the India Brand Consumer Show in Meerut on April 10, 2006 killed 65 people and injured over 161 others. The Supreme Court upheld the liability findings of a one-man Judicial Commission that apportioned responsibility 60% to the Organizers (event managers) and 40% to the State for negligence. The Court held that a writ petition under Article 32 was maintainable against the private Organizers for violating Article 21 (right to life) through gross negligence in failing to implement mandatory fire safety and electrical safety measures. The Organizers could not escape liability by claiming the contractor was independent; they controlled the event, collected fees, and owed visitors a duty of care. The Court remitted the matter to determine just compensation based on Motor Vehicle Act principles.
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