The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice in a contempt plea for non-compliance of orders passed in a public interest litigation concerning seismic stability of buildings in the national capital. (Arpit Bhargava vs NDMC & Ors).The contempt action is sought against Chief Secretary of Delhi government, Commissioner of Municipal Corporations and Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA)..The contempt plea was heard by a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan. .It is the petitioner, Advocate Arpit Bhargava's case that in spite of several orders and opportunities, the authorities have failed to chalk out and implement a detailed action plan for surviving an earthquake. ."..despite such serious intervention shown by this Hon’ble Court over a period of 5 years in the matter involving risk of wipeout of entire city of Delhi, Contemnors/Respondents have shown little concern for larger public interest and did not move an inch in the last 5 years for ground level formulation and implementation of action plan proposed to this Hon’ble Court.", the contempt petition reads. .Mere paperwork, consultations would not solve threat due to heightened seismic activity: Delhi HC asks Govt to explain implementation plan.The petitioner also claims that the requirements of Seismic Zone IV are also not being followed by the authorities, which is contrary to an order passed by the court in 2016..It is submitted that in its previous orders, the court has, time and again, expressed its the anguish over non-compliance of its orders and even observed that there was "a disaster waiting to happen". .The petitioner further points out that in spite of various orders, the Central government is yet to file a counter-affidavit..The matter would be heard next on January 29.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice in a contempt plea for non-compliance of orders passed in a public interest litigation concerning seismic stability of buildings in the national capital. (Arpit Bhargava vs NDMC & Ors).The contempt action is sought against Chief Secretary of Delhi government, Commissioner of Municipal Corporations and Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA)..The contempt plea was heard by a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan. .It is the petitioner, Advocate Arpit Bhargava's case that in spite of several orders and opportunities, the authorities have failed to chalk out and implement a detailed action plan for surviving an earthquake. ."..despite such serious intervention shown by this Hon’ble Court over a period of 5 years in the matter involving risk of wipeout of entire city of Delhi, Contemnors/Respondents have shown little concern for larger public interest and did not move an inch in the last 5 years for ground level formulation and implementation of action plan proposed to this Hon’ble Court.", the contempt petition reads. .Mere paperwork, consultations would not solve threat due to heightened seismic activity: Delhi HC asks Govt to explain implementation plan.The petitioner also claims that the requirements of Seismic Zone IV are also not being followed by the authorities, which is contrary to an order passed by the court in 2016..It is submitted that in its previous orders, the court has, time and again, expressed its the anguish over non-compliance of its orders and even observed that there was "a disaster waiting to happen". .The petitioner further points out that in spite of various orders, the Central government is yet to file a counter-affidavit..The matter would be heard next on January 29.