Bill on lift and elevator safety pending since 2015; Telangana HC seeks govt’s reason for delay
The PIL was initiated after the High Court took cognisance of a letter written on March 14 by Advocate Barkat Ali Khan to the Chief Justice.
By - Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Expressing serious concern over the Telangana Government’s prolonged failure to enact a law on lift and elevator safety, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday took up a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and directed the State to file its counter-affidavit within four weeks.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin observed that repeated fatal accidents involving malfunctioning lifts underline the urgent need for a statutory safety framework.
Letter sparks Suo Motu PIL
The PIL was initiated after the High Court took cognisance of a letter written on March 14 by Advocate Barkat Ali Khan to the Chief Justice. The letter highlighted multiple fatal lift accidents across various parts of Telangana and sought judicial intervention to ensure public safety.
The communication drew attention to the absence of comprehensive legislation regulating the installation, maintenance, and operation of lifts and elevators in the State.
Bill pending since 2015, court expresses shock
During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed astonishment after the Government Pleader for the Energy Department, P Ganesh, informed the Bench that a draft bill on lift and elevator safety has been under ‘active consideration’ since 2015, but has not yet been enacted.
The Bench noted that a delay of nearly a decade in such a critical public safety matter was unacceptable.
Seven accidents since August, three dead
Appearing as party-in-person, Advocate Barkat Ali Khan submitted that at least seven lift-related accidents have occurred in Telangana since August 2025 alone, leading to three deaths and multiple injuries.
Despite repeated media reports and public outcry, he argued, the Government had failed to move forward with mandatory safety regulations.
Court seeks guidelines from other states
Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin advised the petitioner to conduct comparative research on safety laws enforced in other States and submit a set of proposed guidelines for consideration.
The Bench observed that, until a formal law is enacted, the Court may consider directing the State to follow interim safety guidelines to prevent further loss of life.
Four weeks’ time for government
The Division Bench granted the Telangana Government four weeks to file its counter-affidavits and posted the case for further hearing.
