GHAZIPUR TRAGEDY: DELHI HIGH CRACKS DOWN ON CIVIC NEGLIGENCE
Category: Legal News
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HIGH COURT’S CONSIDERATION
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela strongly criticised the MCD and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for their failure to cover or barricade open drains in east Delhi’s Ghazipur area
Cozy Club: Acourt bench criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its ineffectiveness, saying it had become a “cozy club” where officials did nothing. The bench suggested it might recommend dissolving the MCD due to its failure to address issues. The judges questioned the deputy commissioner about a specific incident and implied that his absence from work would not impact the situation on the ground, highlighting the MCD’s inefficiency.
How will the budget get sanctioned ?: The court highlighted the lack of meetings within the MCD, asserting that this hampers budget approvals and overall functionality of the civic body. “There is no date for a cabinet meeting, no date for a standing committee meeting. How will the budget get sanctioned if the cabinet and standing committee meeting is not happening?
Instructed to submit status reports: The court ordered the MCD to clear the area and construct barricades to prevent future accidents involving open drains. Additionally, Delhi Police and DDA were instructed to submit status reports in the matter.
Court Seeks Accountability: The court made it clear that it would not adjudicate whether the area of the incident falls under the MCD or DDA jurisdiction, as it is under police investigation. However, the bench emphasized the need to charge the responsible officials with criminal negligence.
Officials Face Heat Over Drain Tragedy: This ruling came in response to a plea filed by one Jhunnu Lal Srivastava, who sought accountability from DDA and MCD officials for their failure to cover the drain. Delhi Police reported that the victims fell into the drain as the street was waterlogged which reduced visibility, adding that the dead bodies were discovered nearly 150 meters downstream.
Court Slams Probe, Seeks Action: The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the police probe, noting that merely sending notices to civic authorities is insufficient. The bench called for more decisive action, including seizing relevant files and interrogating accountable officials. However, it remains to be seen whether these stern warnings translate to any tangible improvements in the city’s civic management.
CONCLUSION
High Court vehemently criticizes authorities’ gross negligence, ordering immediate rectification of open drains and barricading, emphasizing that the recurrent loss of life due to such recklessness is intolerable and demands swift, decisive action to guarantee public safety and prevent future tragedies.
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WRITTEN BY: KOUSTAV GHOSH
GUIDED BY: ADVOCATE ANIK
