The Delhi High Court has reproached the Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to resolve chronic sewer drainage problems at Tihar Jail, accusing it of treating the court like a municipal commissioner rather than an arbiter of justice.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard a public interest litigation filed by life convict Sonu Dahiya, who highlighted severely unhygienic conditions inside the prison owing to overflowing and unclean sewer lines . The bench’s remark reflected deep frustration with the PWD’s inaction, suggesting that its role has been reduced to executing municipal tasks despite the court’s broader judicial mandate.
The high court’s criticism comes amid a broader narrative of neglect toward Tihar’s inmate welfare protocols. Recent tragic incidents such as two inmates drowning in a rain-filled drain within the premises underscore the urgency of addressing drainage-related hazards.
During the hearing, the bench demanded immediate remedial measures from the PWD, insisting it take full responsibility for correcting the jail’s drainage system. The court stressed that sanitation and infrastructure safety within correctional facilities is not just a logistical concern but also a constitutional obligation.
The Bench pressed the PWD to act without delay, stressing the urgent need for a thorough overhaul of Tihar’s drainage network. It called for regular supervision to avert recurring blockages and waterlogging that put inmates at risk, and for fixing clear lines of accountability so that lapses or delays in maintenance attract responsibility.
The judges also pointed out that this intervention is part of a broader judicial push for better civic infrastructure in Delhi. In recent months, the High Court has issued multiple orders seeking improved sanitation and coordinated action between civic agencies to address persistent drainage and sewerage problems across the city.
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