LG directs penalty for DFS official over false fire safety certificate

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed the Vigilance Department to initiate major penalty proceedings against Chhuttan Lal Meena, Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS). The proceedings are initiated in connection with the issuance of a Fire Safety Certificate to Aakash Cinema-cum-Commercial Complex in Azadpur based on allegedly false inspection reports.

The direction came while the LG was hearing an appeal filed by Meena against a minor penalty imposed on him earlier under Rule 16 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965. Rejecting the appeal, Saxena ordered that disciplinary proceedings be initiated under Rule 14 for a major penalty instead.

According to officials, Meena had prepared two inspection reports dated August 3, 2022, and October 25, 2022, of the Aakash Cinema-cum-Commercial Complex. In both reports, he stated that four passenger lifts were installed at the site. Based on the October 25 report, a Fire Safety Certificate was issued on November 1, 2022, by the then Director of the Delhi Fire Service.

However, following multiple complaints received by the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Vigilance Commission, and the Anti-Corruption Branch, the matter was examined. It was alleged that a fake and forged Fire Safety Certificate or No Objection Certificate had been issued to the complex.

An inspection conducted by the Assistant Electrical Inspector of the Labour Department on January 24, 2023, found that no passenger lifts were installed at the site. The inspection report clearly stated that no lifts existed in the building. Following an inquiry, a minor penalty was imposed on Meena under Rule 16 of the CCS (CCA) Rules. He subsequently filed an appeal before the LG challenging the penalty.

During the hearing, the LG observed that the minor penalty had been imposed primarily on the basis of the August 3, 2022, report. He noted that the October 25, 2022, report had not been brought to notice earlier in the full context. Considering that the matter related directly to public safety, Saxena directed that proceedings for a major penalty under Rule 14 be initiated in place of the minor penalty.

Officials said the LG took a serious view of the fact that a Fire Safety Certificate had been issued despite apparent discrepancies. He also noted that even after the Labour Department's inspection in January 2023 confirmed the absence of lifts, the certificate was neither reviewed nor withdrawn. The LG observed that this failure conferred undue advantage to the Aakash Cinema-cum-Commercial Complex and raised concerns about procedural lapses.

Saxena further directed the Vigilance Department to examine the role and possible misconduct of the then Director of Delhi Fire Service, Atul Garg, who has since retired. He asked the department to consider initiation of major penalty proceedings under relevant provisions of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, and the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, if warranted.

The Vigilance Department has also been directed to examine the involvement of all other DFS officers connected with the inspection, certification, and related processes. Disciplinary action is to be initiated against any officer found responsible for lapses or misconduct. Officials said the directions underscore the administration's focus on accountability in matters involving public safety and fire compliance.