Arpit Bhargava v. Dharmendra And ANR
$~38 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CONT.CAS(C) 688/2025 ARPIT BHARGAVA .....Petitioner Through:
Ms. Beenashaw N Soni, Mr. Arpit Bhargava, Mr., Tushar Singh, Ms.
Mansi Jain, Advs.
versus DHARMENDRA AND ANR .....Respondent Through:
Mr.
Sameer Vashisht, Standing Counsel with Mr. Lalltaksh Joshi and Ms. Anaya Sanjiv Saraogi, Advs for R-1 along with Mr. C.S. Verma, DDE Z-25 along with Mr. Tanveer Alam, OSD, Dist. South East, DoE.
Mr. Farman Ali (SPC) with Mr.
Hussain Adil Taqvi, GP, Ms. Usha Jamval, Advs with Mr. Mr. Harsh Indora, DCP Crime, Mr. Sushil Kumar ACP Crime and Mr. Davinder, Crime, for R-2, Delhi Police.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANISH DAYAL
O R D E R
% 19.05.2025 1.
Pursuant to the directions of this Court, Director of Education has placed on record the Standard Operating Procedure ('SOP') for Handling Bomb Threats in Schools (Government, Aided, Minority, Unaided Private recognized schools).
2.
It was stated by the counsel for the Directorate of Education ('DoE') The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
that by requisition dated 2nd May 2025, a meeting had been convened to discuss the implementation of this Court's directions passed vide order dated 14th November 2024 in W.P. (C) No. 6969/2023 titled Arpit Bhargava v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr. under the Chairmanship of Director (Education) Government of NCT of Delhi.
3.
The meeting was scheduled for 05th May 2025 and the following officers and representatives were requested to attend the meeting: i.
Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Dr. S.P.M. Civic Centre, Minto Roard, SKD Basti, Press Enclave, Ajmeri Gate, New Delhi, 110002.
ii.
Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Delhi Police (Headquarters), Jai Singh Road, New Delhi- 110001. iii.
Director, Delhi Fire Service, New Barakhamaba Road, Connaught Lane, Barakhamba, New Delhi- 110001.
iv.
Depurty Commissioner (Headquarters)/District Disaster Management Authority, Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. v.
Representative, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDMA Bhawan, A-1, Safdarganj Enclave, New Delhi- 110029. vi.
Representative, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 6th Floor, NDCC-II, Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi- 110001. vii.
Additional Director of Education (School), Directorate of Education, GNCTD.
viii.
Representative, Action Committee Unaided Private Schools (Respondent No.3) ix.
Representative, Private Land Public School Trust (Respondent no.4). x.
Representatives from the Management of Private Recognised Schools The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
of Delhi.
4.
Consequently, a meeting was convened on 5th May 2025 at the Directorate of Education's office, and was attended by the following representatives:
i.
Representative, Delhi Fire Service.
ii.
Representative, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). iii.
Representative, Delhi Police.
iv.
Representative, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). v.
Representative, Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools (Respondent No.3.) vi.
Representative, Private Land Public School Trust (Respondent No.4). 5.
Inputs of all the stakeholders were taken into consideration and thereafter, a draft comprehensive action plan including Standard Operating Procedure was directed to be made.
6.
Accordingly, this detailed SOP has been made along with a comprehensive checklist which will enable the concerned stakeholders to ensure that these procedures are being complied with. 7.
On 16th May 2025 the said SOP has been notified and implemented. The notification states inter alia that the SOP outlines preventive, preparatory, responsive and recovery measures to be adopted by all stakeholders in the event of bomb threats in schools. 8.
It further states, that all heads of schools must ensure strict compliance and implementation of the SOP in their respective schools with immediate effect. The checklist must be duly filled and submitted monthly by the head of the school to the concerned district authority for review and The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
further action.
9.
It is further stated by the counsel for Delhi Police as also the DCP Mr. Harsh Indora (who is present through VC) that prior to this SOP, the Circular No.18 /2023 was being complied with. 10.
However, considering this SOP has been now notified, along with the role of the Delhi Police duly delineated thereunder, they will issue an updated circular to implement the SOP and notify all their concerned officers and police stations in this regard.
11.
Counsel for Directorate of Education states that SOP has already been sent to schools and all the other stakeholders with directions that it should be complied with.
12.
Ms. Shreya Singhal, Additional DD for the Directorate of Education is also present through VC and states that a circular has been issued informing all the schools of the SOP and its immediate implementation. A copy of the same has also been uploaded on the website of the Director of Education.
13.
In this view of the matter, the petition is disposed of. 14.
The assistance of Ms. Beenashaw N Soni, appearing for petitioner, along with petitioner who appears in person, who had initiated this petition in public interest in order that the life and safety of the children, teachers, staff and stakeholders and educational institutions may not be jeopardized, is highly appreciated.
15.
Order be uploaded on the website of this Court. ANISH DAYAL, J MAY 19, 2025/RK/NA The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.