‘Can you imagine an earthquake in Delhi?’

HC pulls up municipalities for not clamping down on unauthorised construction

NEW DELHI 13/02/2015: A bird's eye view of Delhi skyline on Februray 13, 2015. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Taking municipal authorities to task for unauthorised constructions in the national capital, the Delhi High Court on Monday asked who would be responsible for the loss of lives and destruction if a quake hits Delhi.

‘Who will be responsible?’

“Can you imagine an earthquake in Delhi? The destruction? Who will be responsible for the loss of life,” a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said.

An earthquake with its epicentre in Delhi would cause “unimaginable destruction”, the Bench said a day after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit areas near the Iraq-Iran border killing over 350 people across both countries and sending residents fleeing their homes.

“You (authorities) are receiving salaries to remain dishonest and not following the law. It is very unfortunate. It is very painful. If you do your duty, no citizen would be able to be dishonest,” the Bench said.

The observations by the court came during the hearing of a PIL alleging ongoing unauthorised constructions in a south Delhi apartment complex and nearby areas.

The Bench listed the matter for further hearing on January 17 next year.