The Delhi High Court has called on the city government to expedite the creation of a robust action plan, including a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to address the rising menace of bomb threats targeting schools.
Presiding over a petition highlighting security lapses, the Court emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive strategy to ensure swift and coordinated responses. Justice Sanjeev Narula instructed the government to clearly define the responsibilities of stakeholders such as law enforcement, school administrations, and municipal bodies in the SOP. These roles, the Court noted, must be outlined in consultation with all relevant parties.
Once finalized, the SOP is to be widely disseminated, accompanied by regular training for school staff, students, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Court proposed a grievance redressal mechanism to address concerns and ensure the system adapts to evolving challenges through periodic reviews and updates. Authorities were urged to finalize these measures within eight weeks.
The petition, filed by a concerned citizen, underscored the recurring threats faced by schools in Delhi and criticized the government’s response as insufficient to guarantee the safety of children. The petitioner argued that these threats symbolize a broader failure to provide a secure environment for students.
In response, the Delhi government and police outlined preliminary measures, including draft plans and ongoing consultations with private school associations. While acknowledging these efforts, the Court stressed that action must move beyond deliberation to practical implementation.
Highlighting the complexity of addressing modern security threats, the Court refrained from prescribing specific operational strategies, leaving such decisions to the executive branch. However, it noted that the petitioner’s concerns and suggestions should be seriously considered while finalizing the SOP.
With these directives, the Court closed the petition, reiterating the need for immediate and effective action to safeguard Delhi’s schools from potential dangers.
