HC asks Mah govt to frame guidelines for resorts, amusement parks

Mumbai, Dec 1 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to frame guidelines for resorts or any such places of amusement and entertainment to avoid accidents due to lack of proper safety measures, following an accident at Palghar resort in 2005 in which two members of the family were electrocuted and two injured in the swimming pool.

Disposing of the petition, filed by the owners of Jungle Resort at Palghar, a division bench, comprising Justices B H Marlapalle and J H Bhatia, held that the state should be concerned with the safety of the patrons, who visit the resorts.

In addition to the safety measures, there must be a mechanism to inspect such places from time to time and take corrective action where necessary, the Judges stated in the order.

Petitioner's counsel Rahul Thakur told the court that the compensation claim was already pending before the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Delhi and some amount had already been paid to the family by the petitioners as well as the insurance company.

He also told the court that all the safety measures were installed and whatever required was done as per the directions of the Electrical Inspector.

The court then ordered the Electrical Inspector to conduct quarterly inspections and report to the Thane Collector until the licensing authority, to whom the petitioner has to apply for the license, takes over the procedure.

On April 9, 2005, Sonal Shah, 33, and her daughter Hiral, 7, were electrocuted because of an electrical leak in the pump. Two other members of the family, husband Ketan, 38, and son Rahul, 3, suffered serious injuries.

Following a public outcry, the state snapped the electric supply of the resort. State Energy Minister Dilip Valse-Patil ordered the electricity supply, that was cut after the incident, not to be restored until the family was compensated. A case of accidental death was registered against the resort owners. Manager Rajankrishna Menon and electrician Praveen Kumar Jain were arrested.

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