In a stringent move, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on the District Magistrate (DM) of North Delhi for attempting to mislead the tribunal. The decision came during a hearing concerning compensation for the families of victims in a factory fire incident.
The tribunal, presided over by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, and including judicial members Justices Arun Kumar Tyagi and Sudhir Agarwal, along with expert member Afroz Ahmad, criticized the DM for his failure to comply with its directives. The case involved awarding compensation to the family members of three workers who died and three who were injured in an explosion and fire at a food processing factory in the Narela industrial area in June last year.
Despite the tribunal’s order to submit a response regarding the status of the compensation, the DM failed to file a reply or appear virtually, citing “election duty” as his reason. This excuse was not well received, especially after it was confirmed that the notice had indeed been served to the DM. The bench highlighted that the DM not only failed to comply but actively tried to mislead the tribunal by wrongly instructing his lawyer.
“We are surprised that the DM did not even have time to make an application for an extension of time to file the reply or an exemption from virtual appearance,” remarked the bench in their order dated January 27. The lack of action was seen as a clear violation of the tribunal’s orders, leading to the imposition of the fine.
