The Rajasthan High Court has initiated suo motu proceedings in response to the tragic collapse of a government school building in Piplod village, Jhalawar district, which led to the deaths of seven schoolchildren and caused serious injuries to several others. The incident occurred during the morning assembly when a portion of the school structure suddenly gave way, trapping dozens of children under the debris. Local residents, school staff, and emergency personnel quickly responded, managing to rescue many students, but for several, the injuries proved fatal.
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, while taking cognisance of the matter, described the incident as nerve-shocking, heart-breaking, and deeply disturbing to the conscience of society. Emphasizing the importance of a secure and safe learning environment, the Court noted that the state has a constitutional obligation to provide not just access to education but also infrastructure that does not endanger children's lives. The Court drew attention to the overall status of school infrastructure in Rajasthan, highlighting the critical condition of many government schools, especially in rural areas.
Data cited during the proceedings revealed that nearly 22 percent of school buildings across multiple Indian states, including Rajasthan, are in a dilapidated condition. Approximately 31 percent show visible structural cracks. In Rajasthan specifically, about 32 percent of schools lack access to electricity, 9 percent have no drinking water facility, and 10 to 11 percent do not offer separate toilet facilities for girls. These deficiencies contribute to adverse health effects, hamper the learning process, and particularly affect female students’ education and dignity.
The Court expressed dismay that despite allocating around six percent of its total budget to education, the state has failed to address basic infrastructure and safety concerns in its schools. This gap between budgetary provision and actual implementation was cited as a serious systemic issue needing urgent reform. The Court stressed that the loss of young lives due to administrative apathy could not be ignored and warranted immediate institutional action.
Consequently, the High Court issued notices to the Government of Rajasthan and the Central Government. The Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and the relevant secretaries of the Union Government were directed to submit detailed reports specifying what steps had been taken to prevent such incidents, what actions had followed the recent collapse, and what accountability mechanisms were being enforced. The Court scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 1, signaling the urgency with which it intends to proceed.
As part of its recommendations, the Court proposed the establishment of an online platform or district-level system where students, parents, and teachers can upload photos or videos of unsafe or damaged school buildings. This would serve as a tool for early detection and prompt redressal. The Court also called for the recovery of funds from contractors in cases of proven negligence and stated that responsible government officers should face both departmental and criminal proceedings when such tragedies occur due to neglect.
In parallel with the Court’s action, the National Human Rights Commission also took suo motu cognisance of the incident and issued notices to the state administration and district police authorities. The Commission requested a comprehensive report on the incident, the current condition of the injured students, the compensation given to families of the deceased, and the official response to earlier warnings about the building’s unsafe condition.
The tragic event has led to widespread grief and outrage. Families of the deceased children have demanded justice and accountability. Government officials have announced compensation for the affected families and promised to rebuild the school with improved facilities. However, the Court emphasized that mere compensation cannot make up for the loss of young lives and that preventive steps are critical.
The Rajasthan High Court’s suo motu action underscores the judicial commitment to upholding the fundamental right to education in a safe environment. By initiating these proceedings and seeking detailed accountability reports, the Court has taken a firm step toward addressing the longstanding issues of school infrastructure and ensuring that similar tragedies do not occur in the future.
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