Delhi HC takes suo motu cognisance of illegal construction on Sriniwaspuri drain

The Delhi High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the condition of the Sriniwaspuri drain, citing its significant impact on waterlogging in the area and rampant illegal constructions on and around it. A Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora, while disposing of an appeal filed by residents of Sriniwaspuri, directed that the matter be converted into a fresh suo motu petition. The development came after the appellants, who had approached the court seeking proper maintenance, cleaning and reconstruction of drains in the area, sought permission to withdraw their appeal, stating that they did not wish to pursue the proceedings because of the continuous threats they were facing from local residents. In its November 5 order, the court allowed the appellants to withdraw their petition but made it clear that the larger public interest issues concerning the drain could not be ignored.