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HC orders inquiry into Vikas Nagar slum fire; replies due by May 13
Lucknow's Allahabad High Court ordered an inquiry into encroachment on PWD land linked to the Vikas Nagar slum fire, directing the PWD and relief department to report and set replies by May 13. The district magistrate and Lucknow municipal commissioner must file counter-affidavits, and the court questioned enforcement and recurrence prevention. A next hearing is scheduled for May 13 as part of the PIL seeking victim rehabilitation and relief.
Why It Matters
The ruling seeks accountability for encroachment on government land and outlines a framework for victim relief and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Timeline
4 Events
Hearing and petition details scheduled
April 23, 2026
The next hearing was scheduled for May 13, 2026. The public interest litigation filed by Anurag Tripathi seeks proper rehabilitation for fire victims, including medical treatment, rations, and temporary housing.
Court order uploaded
April 22, 2026
The order issued on April 17 was uploaded on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
HC orders inquiry into encroachment on PWD land related to Vikas Nagar fire
April 17, 2026
The division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla directed the additional chief secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), to investigate and report on encroachment on PWD land connected to the Vikas Nagar slum fire. The court also directed the state relief commissioner to investigate and require replies by May 13 detailing the incident, its causes, and proposed remedial measures. The district magistrate and the Lucknow municipal commissioner were directed to file separate counter-affidavits.
Vikas Nagar slum fire in Lucknow
April 15, 2026
A fire occurred in the Vikas Nagar slum in Lucknow on April 15.