Upset Acting CJ appoints TV reporter as Local Commissioner

The Delhi High Court today witnessed an unusual setting wherein a TV news report that was aired last night, regarding removal of garbage in the Shastri Nagar area of Delhi, was shown in Court No. 1..The news report was played under the instruction of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar while the bench was hearing the petitions regarding spreading of vector borne diseases in Delhi..The news programme showed a lackadaisical approach of all the authorities towards removal of garbage near residential areas and on public streets. It showed the plight of the MCD workers, who were not provided with adequate equipment, shoes, clothing etc. Also, the salaries of workers were also not released in a timely fashion..The news programme also showed that no cleaning schedule is maintained by the municipalities. A large number of fleas and insects could be seen to be hovering over the garbage, a disgusting sight to watch indeed..Acting CJ Mittal was visibly shaken and anguished at the fact that the authorities have been submitting wrong information about discharge of their duties. The case has been heard several times in the past two months and multiple orders have been passed directing the authorities to take immediate steps to control and eliminate vector borne diseases like dengue and chikanguniya..Acting CJ Mittal had commented during a hearing in April this year, “Let this year not be the same as last year.”.She was disappointed that the Court was misled by the authorities about the work being carried out by them. She also denounced the constant blame game between the Centre and Delhi Government regarding such a perilous situation..Mittal categorically stated that since the orders of the court have not been complied with, contempt proceedings against the authorities are in the offing..The Court admitting to not having enough resources to constantly monitor the functioning of authorities, appointed ABP news channel Reporter Ankit Gupta as a Local Commissioner in this matter..Here is the news report on ABP News..As the local commissioner, he is directed to randomly conduct inspections and place reports before the court regarding garbage removal and disposal in all parts of Delhi..Orders regarding the contumacious conduct of the authorities were deferred till the next date of hearing..The matter will be next heard on June 2..Read Order:.Link to news report