'Criminal Neglect': Delhi HC Slams MCD, DDA, Police Over 3 UPSC Aspirants' Deaths
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the MCD, Delhi Development Authority, city government, Delhi police and investigation officer over the deaths of three UPSC students in IAS coaching basement.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the MCD, Delhi Development Authority, city government, Delhi police and investigation officer over the deaths of three UPSC students in Rau's IAS Academy basement. The high court slammed the manner in which investigation is being done. The court said that this is a case of criminal negligence and it will make sure that responsibility is fixed in the case.
The high court bench headed by ACJ Manmohan directed the investigating officer, DCP, and MCD commissioner to be personally present in court at the next hearing on Friday.
Delhi HC Court Flags Centuries Old Infrastructure, Slams 'Freebies Culture"
The high court bench grilled the Delhi government and authorities and asked how it plans to run a city with centuries old infrastructure where the population is touching 3.3 crores.
ACJ Manmohan said the population in Delhi is touching 3.3 crores in a city planned for 6-7 lakhs people.
"You are permitting multi-storey buildings but there is no proper drain. You have mixed sewage with storm water drain, there is reverse flow...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," ACJ said while presiding over the case.
The high court flagged the loopholes of the system and the overlapping jurisdiction of DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board which is causing chaos in the city. "You have created so many authorities they are all passing the buck!" ACJ Manmohan said.
The high court further directed MCD senior officers to visit the ground and asked the MCD to file an affidavit on what action they have taken. The Delhi Police has also been directed to file an affidavit stating the status of investigation.
'Officers Need To Step Out Of Air Conditioning Office'
The high court questioned how a one storey building turned into a six storey building without adhering to by-laws? The high court pulled up MCD and asked it to explain how many officers have been prosecuted till now in the case.
"All we know is that those MCD officers who let these unauthorised construction flourish must have got at least two or three promotions by now...Who will fix responsibility?...The officers must step out of their AC offices," ACJ Manmohan of Delhi HC said.
The high court asked the MCD to remove illegal constructions on drains by Friday.
'What Is Delhi Police Doing? Arresting those passing by!'
The high court further said that unauthorised construction could not have happened without police collusion. It slammed the Investigation and said that it is very strange they are arresting someone for passing by the library as accused in the case.
"What kind of strange investigation is this? You are picking up any passer by. Just because an SUV drove past the building you are saying that the incident occured because of that?" The bench remarked and further said that it will hand over the investigation to a central agency like CVC or Lokpal if it is not satisfied with the response of the investigation officer.
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