Elevator safety: HC asks state to submit Telangana Lifts Act in four weeks

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in regulating elevator safety despite recurring fatal accidents.

Issuing a final ultimatum, the court directed the state government to submit the proposed Telangana Lifts Act, 2025, within four weeks.

A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin made it clear that no further extensions would be granted and scheduled the matter for review after four weeks.

Court expresses dissatisfaction over Legislative vacuum

The court expressed strong concern about the lack of a dedicated statutory framework governing lift safety in residential and commercial buildings across the State. The judges noted that repeated incidents resulting in loss of life underline the urgency of a comprehensive law.

The court observed that despite sufficient time since the litigation commenced, the government has failed to prioritise the enactment of the proposed legislation.

Government’s six-month timeline rejected

During the hearing, Government Pleader P. Ganesh sought an additional six months to complete the legislative process. However, the Chief Justice rejected the request, stating that the State Assembly convenes regularly and the matter could have been expedited.

The Bench remarked that public safety cannot remain in limbo due to administrative delays, especially when neighbouring states have already implemented regulatory mechanisms for lift safety.

PIL origin and background

The case stems from a Public Interest Litigation initiated based on a 2025 letter written by advocate Barkat Ali Khan, who highlighted the urgent need for a statutory framework to prevent avoidable elevator-related fatalities in high-rise buildings.

Taking note of the concerns raised, the High Court had been monitoring the government’s progress on drafting the proposed Telangana Lifts Act, 2025.

Interim measures suggested

To address the immediate regulatory gap, the court directed the state to examine draft guidelines and research materials submitted by the petitioner.

The court advised that these recommendations could be implemented through executive instructions on an interim basis, ensuring enforceable safety standards until the formal legislation is passed.

Final warning

Emphasising that further delays would not be tolerated, the High Court fixed the next hearing after four weeks to assess the government’s compliance and progress in placing the Telangana Lifts Act, 2025, before the legislature.

The court’s stern stand signals increased judicial oversight over public safety issues and places the onus squarely on the state government to act without further procrastination.