Plea in Supreme Court over Delhi High Court refusal to halt Vista work

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 12

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Terming the Rs 1 lakh costs imposed by the Delhi High Court as “exorbitant”, petitioners Anya Malhotra and Sohail Hashmi have moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision refusing to halt construction work on the Central Vista project in the national capital.

“The impugned judgment, especially the imposition of exorbitant costs, has a chilling effect on public spirited individuals raising genuine issues of public health and on the right of citizens to question the actions of the government and to hold it to account, which it is submitted is the bedrock of democracy,” they submitted.

Describing the Central Vista project “vital and essential”, a Bench headed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel had on May 31 imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioners for wasting its time by filing a “motivated” petition.

The legality of the project had already been upheld by the Supreme Court and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority also allowed the work to continue, the HC had said, adding the workers were already present at the site and, therefore, “we see no reason to stop the work”.