TNR News Network
Shimla:
Shimla Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap has ordered an FIR to be registered against Aakash Coaching Institute at Sanjauli in the Himachal Pradesh capital for allegedly violating official orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The institute was found running classes on September 3 and 4 despite a clear directive mandating the closure of all educational and coaching institutions across the district due to an alert for heavy rain and safety concerns.
According to officials, the district administration had declared all coaching and educational institutes closed under the Disaster Management Act on those dates. However, reports surfaced on social media alleging that Aakash Institute continued to conduct classes in violation of the order. Upon receiving these reports, DC Kashyap directed Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Pankaj Sharma and Tehsildar Apoorv Sharma to carry out a surprise inspection.
The team arrived at the Aakash Institute premises in Sanjauli at 10.10 am on Saturday, where they found active classroom sessions underway. Upon inquiry, students confirmed they had received messages from the institute about scheduled classes, contradicting the claims made by the institute’s operations head, Rajesh Kumar, who said classes were only being held for students staying within the hostel and premises.
However, several students present during the inspection were found to be day scholars, not residing in the hostel. This led the ADM team to conclude that the coaching centre was in clear violation of the DC’s closure order. Photographs, videos, and student testimonials were collected as part of a comprehensive interim report submitted to DC Anupam Kashyap later the same day.
In response, the DC immediately directed the Superintendent of Police to initiate legal action by lodging an FIR against Aakash Coaching Institute under Sections 51, 52 and 53 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
As part of the broader crackdown, the inspection team also visited another coaching centre in the area, which was found to be in compliance and remained closed.
“We had received specific information that Aakash Institute was conducting classes despite the official closure orders,” DC Anupam Kashyap confirmed. “After verifying the violation through an on-site inspection, action under the Disaster Management Act has been initiated. We will not tolerate any defiance that puts students’ safety at risk. If any institution is found flouting these norms in the future, strict legal action will follow.”
What the legal framework says
Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005:
• Section 51 penalises obstruction or non-compliance of lawful orders by public authorities. Violators may face up to one year of imprisonment or fine, and up to two years if lives are endangered.
• Section 52 deals with false claims for aid or relief and provides for imprisonment up to two years and a fine.
• Section 53 punishes misuse of relief funds or materials with similar penalties.
