High Court’s Sharp Rebuke
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke to the AAP government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants. The students drowned in a flooded basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. The court was hearing a plea for a high-level investigation into the incident.
Administrative Lapses and “Freebie Culture”
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed serious concerns about the administration’s role in the flooding incident. They pointed to an “underlying malice” in the administration’s functioning. The bench criticized the Delhi government’s “freebie culture” and questioned the urban planning strategies of the MCD.
Court’s Key Statements
The court summoned the MCD commissioner to appear at a hearing on Friday. The bench highlighted the inefficiencies in project approvals and urban planning, stating, “We ask MCD to carry out projects. Any project above Rs 5 crore they say will be approved by the Standing Committee. But there is no Committee. Yesterday, one plan they said has to go to Cabinet. What’s the next date of the cabinet meeting, nobody knows!”
Overpopulation and Infrastructure Concerns
The bench questioned how the city plans to accommodate a population of 3.3 crore people when it was originally designed for 6-7 lakh. They emphasized the need for upgrading infrastructure, stating, “How do you plan to accommodate so many people without upgrading infra?”
Critique of AAP’s Public Services Strategy
The court criticized the Aam Aadmi Party’s approach to providing public services for free or at highly subsidized rates, arguing that it contributes to inadequate infrastructure development. The bench remarked, “You are permitting multi-story buildings but there is no proper drain. Your civic authorities are bankrupt. If you don’t have money to pay salaries, how will you upgrade infrastructure? You want freebie culture. You’re not collecting any money, so you’re not spending any money.”
Urban Planning Failures
The court also took issue with the city’s urban planning, noting the recurring problems with droughts and floods. “If you think you can fight with nature… with buildings… you are mistaken. What is this planning? One day you complain of drought and next day there is a flood?” the bench questioned.
Accountability and Action
In response to the incident, the Delhi government fired the junior engineer responsible for the safety of the basement where the students died. However, the court called for accountability at higher levels, stating that senior officials should also face consequences for their role in the tragedy.
(With inputs from agencies)
