“Heart-Wrenching”: Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Jhalawar School Tragedy

The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the recent school building collapse in Jhalawar, describing the incident as “heart-wrenching.” The collapse tragically claimed the lives of seven children, prompting widespread outrage and demands for accountability.

Presided over by Justice Anoop Dhand, the court has directed both the central and state governments to submit a detailed report on the condition of school infrastructure. The bench voiced serious concern over the deteriorating state of educational facilities in several states, despite education receiving 6% of the total budget allocation.

Quoting a recent survey, the court noted:

• 22% of school buildings in 12 states are in dilapidated condition.
• 31% have visible structural cracks.
• In Rajasthan specifically:
  • 32% of schools lack electricity.
  • 9% do not have drinking water access.
  • Another 9% lack boys’ toilets.

The court criticized the mismatch between investment and actual development and directed urgent structural audits of all school buildings. It also recommended:

• The creation of a centralised online portal and district-level websites where parents and students can upload photos or videos of unsafe school structures.
• Establishing a redressal mechanism for addressing such complaints swiftly.

In terms of accountability, the court said:

“Those responsible for substandard construction must be held accountable. In case of tragedies, the cost of construction should be recovered from contractors, and both departmental and criminal proceedings must be initiated.”

The incident has also resonated in the Lok Sabha, where opposition MPs demanded strict action and raised the issue forcefully.

Officials stated that the court’s intervention underscores the urgent need for nationwide audits, enhanced accountability, and structural safety in schools to protect students’ lives.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.