The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi government on Monday for failing to address defects in its plea, which sought a directive for Haryana to release surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to alleviate Delhi’s water crisis.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale expressed strong displeasure over the persistent errors in the petition, noting that affidavits were being rejected due to these defects. The court warned the government against taking legal proceedings lightly and adjourned the matter to June 12.
Court Expresses Displeasure Over Defective Plea
The Supreme Court’s vacation bench did not mince words when addressing the defects in the Delhi government’s plea. Justice Mishra and Justice Varale reprimanded the government for not curing the defects pointed out during the previous hearing.
“Why have you not cured the defect? We will dismiss the petition. On the last date also this was pointed out and you did not remove the defect. Don’t take the court proceedings for granted, however important your case may be,” the bench remarked.
The judges highlighted the importance of thorough preparation before court hearings, stressing that relying on incomplete or incorrect filings could undermine the judicial process. The court emphasized that affidavits were not being accepted due to the unresolved errors, which impeded the progress of the case. This stern stance was aimed at ensuring that all parties take the court’s directives seriously and maintain the integrity of legal proceedings.
Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Haryana, submitted a reply to the state government’s response, which led to further questioning from the court about the timing and completeness of the filing. The bench’s frustration was evident as it reiterated the need for all relevant documents to be on record before any substantive orders could be made. “Never take us for granted. Filings are not being accepted.
You straightaway hand over a series of documents in court and then you say you are suffering a deficit of water and pass an order today itself. You are raising all grounds of urgency and sitting leisurely. Let everything come on record. We’ll take it the day after tomorrow,” the bench asserted.
Background of the Water Crisis Plea
The case in question involves a plea filed by Delhi’s Water Minister Atishi, seeking the immediate and continuous release of water at the Wazirabad barrage, including surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh. The plea named the Centre, BJP-governed Haryana, and Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh as respondents. The petition highlighted the urgent need for additional water to address Delhi’s critical water shortage.
During an earlier hearing on June 3, the Supreme Court called for an emergent meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) on June 5 to address the water scarcity issue. Representatives from the Centre, Delhi, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh agreed to convene this meeting to tackle the crisis collaboratively.
The UYRB, established in 1995, plays a crucial role in regulating water allocation among beneficiary states and monitoring the progress of water-related projects up to the Okhla barrage in Delhi. The board includes Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi as beneficiary states.
The Delhi government’s plea underscores the severe water deficit faced by the city, exacerbated by a growing population and increased demand during the summer months. The Wazirabad barrage, a critical water supply point for Delhi, has been struggling to meet the city’s needs, prompting the plea for additional water from Himachal Pradesh.
However, the Supreme Court’s stern rebuke indicates that procedural correctness and thorough preparation are paramount, even in cases of urgent public interest. The court’s insistence on proper filings and adherence to judicial processes serves as a reminder that legal proceedings must be conducted with the utmost diligence and respect for the rule of law.
As the matter is set to be heard again on June 12, all eyes will be on the Delhi government to see if it can rectify the identified defects and present a compelling case for the release of additional water to mitigate the capital’s ongoing water crisis.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for inter-state water management and the future handling of water resources in the region.
