In a recent hearing, the Delhi High Court called upon the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to address a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the tragic drowning of a 15-year-old boy in the Chanakyapuri area last month.
The incident, which occurred following a heavy downpour on August 23, resulted in the boy drowning in rainwater that had accumulated on the roadside near The British School in central Delhi. The boy was reportedly playing with friends at the time of the accident.
The PIL, filed by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, aims to establish accountability among the NDMC officials responsible for the area’s maintenance and seeks compensation for the family of the deceased. Additionally, the petitioner has urged the council to implement measures to prevent similar flood-like situations in the future.
During the session, NDMC’s counsel requested more time to respond to the plea, suggesting that waterlogging was not a significant issue in the NDMC areas. However, this claim was quickly challenged by the bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who pointed out the recurring waterlogging issues in the council’s jurisdiction.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for December, expecting a detailed response from the NDMC on their plans to address and mitigate the risks associated with heavy rainfall and water accumulation.
