PIL against Central Vista another bid to stall project: Centre to HC

Blurb: Delhi High Court Bench lists the matter for hearing on Wednesday

New Delhi, May 11

The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that the PIL seeking a stay on the construction of Central Vista amid the raging Covid pandemic was just another attempt to stall the project that has been facing such attempts from the beginning on one pretext or another.

The “intentions and motive” behind the filing of plea are evident from the fact that the instant project has been singled out by the petitioners despite several other agencies, including Delhi Metro, carrying out construction activities across the national capital, the Centre has alleged.

“The very fact that out of all these construction activities going on simultaneously for different projects by different agencies, the petitioner has chosen to be a public spirited citizen only with regard to one project only speaks volumes about his intentions and motive behind filing the present petition,” the Centre’s affidavit has contended.

Since the affidavit was not yet on record, a Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh listed the matter for hearing on May 12.

The court also allowed the early hearing application moved by the petitioners—Anya Malhotra and Sohail Hashmi—who have contended that the project was not an essential activity and, therefore, can be put on hold for now. — PTI