HC raps civic body for not cooperating with CBI

The Delhi High Court slammed the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on Thursday for not providing details of its officials posted in Shiv Vihar, which was in the news over release of poisonous substances into the groundwater from illegal dyeing units.

The court has directed the CBI to conduct an inquiry into flourishing of illegal industrial and other commercial activities in the area. The CBI informed the court that the East Delhi Municipal Corporation was not cooperative with them regarding this issue.

The court clarified that it will take criminal contempt action against head of the body if information of the then assistant engineer, executive engineer and superintending engineer, who were posted there till the date of closure of such activity, is not provided to the CBI.

The EDMC has been directed to immediately submit details of the officials. The court has now fixed the matter for hearing on September 25, when the CBI has been asked to file its status report.

The court had said that upon completion of the investigation, the CBI shall proceed in accordance with law against all persons or authorities found responsible for the commencement, continuance of the illegal activities.

Several other East Delhi residential areas like Mustafabad, Seemapuri and Seelampur are also hotbeds of polluting units.