Mayur Vihar deaths: HC raps MCD over open, dirty drain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday lambasted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over the deaths of a woman and her three-year-old son, who fell into an uncovered drain in Mayur Vihar after heavy rains on July 31.

‘Shocking affair’

How can the drain be unbarricaded? You think people will walk over water? Only MCD officials can be having this blessing that they can walk over water. — Delhi High Court

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Warning that it would start suspending senior officials, a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that photographs of the location showed a shocking state of affairs, with waste lying along the road for months if not years. It went on to say that the MCD should be “dissolved” as it is “not serving anyone’s purpose”.

Expressing shock over the negligence and failure of MCD officials to supervise and maintain the drain, the court said the civic administration has become a “cosy club” with its senior officers lacking the courage to take action against non-performing employees.

Earlier, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said the portion of the drain where the incident happened was within the jurisdiction of the MCD.

The court also questioned the effectiveness of MCD’s cleaning efforts and demanded accountability, noting that if the drain had been properly covered and barricaded, the tragedy could have been avoided. The Delhi Police was also instructed to investigate the incident thoroughly.

The MCD was ordered to clean and barricade the drain immediately, with a status report to be filed within 10 days. The matter will be heard again on August 22.

The court pressed the Delhi Police for a thorough investigation, particularly in light of new criminal laws that mandate videography during forensic examinations.

During the hearing, the Investigating Officer (IO) from the Delhi Police and the MCD Deputy Commissioner were summoned to appear in court.

The MCD acknowledged that the area had not been barricaded before, but assured the court that barricading would be completed within two-three days.

The Bench said the officials responsible should be held accountable and instructed the Delhi Police to pursue charges of criminal negligence against the erring officials.

The police informed the court that a crime team had inspected the site and an FIR was registered the day after the incident, based on the testimony of an eyewitness who was present at the scene.