Twitter
Advertisement

No politics over unauthorised colonies: Supreme Court

The apex court also asked the state to look into the aspects of fire safety, especially in schools, and the massive depletion of groundwater while proceeding in the matter.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Supreme Court warned the Centre to abstain from politicising the issue of unauthorised colonies and sealing illegal structures in the national Capital.

No politics, no commerce interest when it comes to unauthorised construction in Delhi unless you want to move out of the capital like Mohammed bin Tughlaq, the bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

The top court's comments came in response to Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Atmaram Nadkarni's submission that the Centre had proposed to constitute a special task force that would identify unauthorised construction in Delhi and take steps to demolish it. The Centre added that it had held a meeting with all stakeholders and the special task force would monitor all the issues arising out of unauthorised constructions.

"There are a few points and you please take these into account. This is not a political issue," the bench said.

The apex court also asked the state to look into the aspects of fire safety, especially in schools, and the massive depletion of groundwater while proceeding in the matter.

The top court asserted that the health of the citizens of Delhi was much more important than profit and they would have to deal with the issue in a holistic manner.

The bench has now posted the matter for further hearing on April 18.

At the previous hearing, the bench had lashed out at the Centre and the civic agencies of the national capital for their failure to prevent unauthorised constructions that has led to the toxic levels of pollution.

Critical of the Centre and the state's inaction for more than three decades, the apex court said that citizens of Delhi -- who were suffering from problems such as pollution, parking and lack of green areas, deserved an explanation. "There is gross misuse of commercial establishments in residential areas. You have a 30-year explanation to give to the people of Delhi," the bench had said. "People of Delhi are not relevant to you," the disgruntled bench added.

"People of Delhi are suffering. Children are suffering. Our lungs are already damaged. Lungs of our children will also be damaged. Why? Because the Union of India, Delhi government, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), municipal corporations of Delhi (MCDs) say you can do whatever you want but we will not do anything," the bench said in a harsh criticism of the state's policies.

The Bench had also cautioned the Centre that unless the authorities realised that people of Delhi were important, a change would not be forthcoming. "People of Delhi are not cattles... Everybody has some respect in the society," the bench said.

The top court was hearing arguments that challenged the validity of the 2006 Act and subsequent legislation protecting unauthorised construction from being sealed.

CENTRE CAUTIONED

The Bench had also cautioned the Centre that unless the authorities realised that people of Delhi were important, a change would not be forthcoming.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement