SC cracks down on civic bodies over violations

Taking serious note of unauthorised constructions in Delhi-NCR and the recent fire incidents in the Capital and Lucknow, the Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the civic bodies and said top officials will be personally liable for non-compliance of its directions.

A bench of justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan sought personal presence of officials of Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Gurugram and Lucknow civic bodies and said it is bothered with their conduct and non-compliance of its directions issued from time to time.

“We are particularly concerned with the conduct of Municipal Corporation of Delhi with regard to non-compliance of directions issued by the court in 2024 and specific directions of May 20, which were issued as to what was required to be done by the authorities,” the bench told Additional Solicitor General SD Sanjay, appearing for the MCD.

The SC was also irked over the fact no effective action was taken on ground with regard to its May 20 directions for sealing, demolition, or any other action warranted in law for the unauthorised structures.

Observing that no “slackness” on the part of civic authorities will be tolerated, the court took on record status reports filed by senior advocate Ajit Sinha, who has been appointed amicus in the matter with regard to recent fire strategies in Delhi, Lucknow and action on unauthorised constructions.

It also warned of initiating suo-moto contempt action against civic bodies which do not comply with its earlier directions.

Sinha, assisted by advocate Govind Jee, pointed out that recently two fire incidents that occurred on June 3 at Delhi’s Malviya Nagar and June 22 at Lucknow were not tragedies that were caused by a single failure but by the convergence of several.

The bench, which took serious exception of non-compliance of its earlier directions, said the court has passed specific directives with respect to congested Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar areas in the Capital and indicated that such structures be immediately demolished to prevent any mishappening. 

Sinha submitted that demolition of unauthorised construction and those violating building by-laws were to be done in two weeks but except for giving violators notice, no follow-up has been done.

The bench said in such circumstances as no action has been taken in compliance with the directions issued in 2024 and on May 20, “we are of the opinion that strict cognisance be taken of the issue and officials of the MCD be summoned to the court.”

The bench said it is not fully satisfied with the bona fide of the MCD but before taking any final view on the issue, was granting one last opportunity to the authorities to comply with its directions.