The Delhi High Court on Friday issued contempt notices to Delhi government officials for failing to remove waste and other obstructions from the Maharani Bagh drain near Taimur Nagar.

The bench headed by Justice Pratibha M Singh issued contempt notices to the special secretaries of the Integrated Drain Management Cell (IDMC) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi government as they did not failed to comply with its removal order.

On November 12, the High Court had directed the IDMC special secretary to look into the issue of removing the blockage from the said drain to ensure smooth flow of water in the Yamuna. On November 29, the High Court had again directed the Delhi government to ensure that all concerned statutory authorities clean the parts of the Taimur Nagar drain to enable unhindered flow of water from the drain to the river.

Taking a dim view of the authorities’ failure to comply with its instructions, the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, said its instructions were not only ignored but “violated with impunity” and that the residents of the capital bore the cost. clogging.

The court also requested the personal presence of the two officials on December 20, during the next hearing of the case.

“The photos that were recorded speak for themselves. None of the areas have been cleaned and no drainage equipment is also present. It is clear that court orders are not only ignored, but violated with impunity. The cost of blocking these pipes, leading to waterlogging, is borne by the people of Delhi. The statute cannot continue as it is,” the bench said.

The court added, “That too, is in blatant disregard of the order of this court.” The violation is brought before the court and it is a case of res ispa loquitor (the thing speaks for itself). Accordingly, let a notice be issued stating why contempt action should not be initiated against the Special Secretary, Integrated Drain Management Cell (IDMC) and the Special Secretary, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, GNCTD must be filed in response to this notice within three days. Both officials must be present.

The court expressed its concerns while responding to complaints in which it had taken suo motu cognizance of the problem of waterlogging in the capital and also filed by citizens who were affected by the 2024 monsoon floods and waterlogging.