The Central Government on Thursday opposed before the Delhi High Court an application filed by former IPS officer Kiran Bedi seeking to be impleaded in proceedings concerning the recent collapse of a paying guest (PG) accommodation at Satya Niketan.
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, however, observed at the outset that Bedi was a “conscious citizen” whose years of administrative experience could assist the Court in dealing with the matter.
Representing the Union Government, Delhi Government, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma submitted that he had received instructions to oppose the plea, noting that the Solicitor General had already provided a statement and assurance. He emphasized that the relevant authorities would issue an institutional response, but maintained that the court-directed status reports must be submitted prior to that reply.
Sharma sought time for the Central Government to file its response to the impleadment application. He also submitted that the Court should first await the status reports directed from the authorities.
Sharma submitted that he had received instructions to oppose the plea, noting that the Solicitor General had already provided a statement and assurance. He emphasized that the relevant authorities would issue an institutional response, but maintained that the court-directed status reports must be submitted prior to that reply.
The Bench noted that Bedi’s application was meant to assist the Court rather than elicit responses from authorities, stating that it could always draw upon her extensive experience.
When Sharma submitted that Bedi was prejudging the issue, the Bench said there was no question of any pre-judgment and asked the ASG not to take the matter adversarially.
The High Court directed the ASG to file a reply to the impleadment application within three days and listed the matter for September 25 along with a batch of pleas arising from the incident.
The Court has previously directed the authorities to intensify efforts to save the lives of students affected by the collapse. It also directed the MCD to examine the issue at the highest executive level and conduct an inquiry into whether the collapsed buildings had been constructed pursuant to valid permissions.
The Court further said that if the construction was found to have been carried out without valid permission, the MCD would have to fix responsibility on officials or employees responsible for the lapse.
The building, which housed a boys’ PG accommodation near Delhi University’s South Campus, collapsed at around 1.30 pm while repair work was underway in its basement. Locals alleged that waterlogging in the basement may have weakened the structure.
The Delhi Police has registered a case at South Campus Police Station against three persons. They have been booked under provisions relating to culpable homicide, negligence in the upkeep of a structure and endangering the safety of others.
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