The Delhi High Court delivered a scathing rebuke to the city’s civic administration on Friday, criticizing the political class for prioritizing sloganism over substantive urban development. Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora expressed their dissatisfaction during a hearing, highlighting the city’s inadequate response to a series of crises including drought, floods, and escalating pollution levels.
The court’s remarks came amidst discussions about the city’s ability to support its growing population, currently estimated at 33 million. “We as the citizens have to take a call whether the city can accommodate 3.3 crore people or not. Do we have the infrastructure for 3.3 crore people or not? That’s the fundamental issue which needs to be decided,” the bench stated, emphasizing the lack of investment in essential infrastructure.
Chief Justice Manmohan pointed out the irony of politicians who neither collect sufficient funds nor allocate them effectively, instead focusing on distributing freebies that do not contribute to infrastructure development. “They are only spending it on freebies. Freebies will not make your infrastructure; they will only ensure that you remain where you are. Today the only thing the political class is doing is selling slogans and we are buying it,” he remarked.
The hearing was part of a broader case involving the residents of JJ cluster Madrasi Camp at Jangpura, who are contesting an eviction notice while seeking proper rehabilitation. The court advised the residents to vacate the area, which it described as not “according to science,” and seek a more suitable place for rehabilitation, with the next hearing scheduled for November 29.
Furthermore, the High Court criticized the Delhi government for its inefficiency and the bureaucracy’s failure to meet deadlines, noting that the burden of administrative inadequacies often falls on the judiciary. “We have got a very inefficient system and all the organizations are working in silos. The entire load is coming to the judiciary. We are not supposed to be taking care of drains and unauthorized constructions but half of the day we are doing this which is not our job,” the bench lamented.
The court also warned that it might direct the chief secretary to invoke Section 56(J) of the Central Civil Services (CCS) Pension Rules, 1972, which allows for the premature retirement of government employees, against officials failing to meet their responsibilities.
