NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi government for rushing to it seeking legal remedy instead of trying to solve the problem. A bench, headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, made the scathing remark while hearing a plea filed by the AAP government seeking resumption of water supply to Delhi, disrupted by the Jat stir in Haryana.
“You people instead of solving the problem at government-to-government level are moving the Supreme Court. You want order from the Supreme Court. You want everything on the platter. You ministers are sitting in court instead of going to the field. You rest in AC chambers and you want order from the court!” the bench said while referring to the presence of Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra at court.
However, after persistent requests by senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan, appearing for the Delhi government, the bench asked the Haryana government to make necessary arrangements for resumption of water supply to Delhi and sought a status report. The AAP government had on Sunday moved the apex court for urgent hearing on its plea seeking Centre’s intervention for uninterrupted supply of water from Munak Canal in Haryana.
Meanwhile, rejecting a PIL seeking directions to restore law and order in Haryana in the wake of the Jat quota agitation, a bench comprising Chief Justice Thakur and Justice U U Lalit said it had no reason to believe that the government was not taking due action. The plea was filed by a Delhi-based advocate who moved the court alleging a total collapse of administration in Haryana on account of the Jat quota stir.
“We have no reason to believe that the government is not taking action in the matter. We appeal to the people to maintain peace and not damage property. We can only say amity and brotherhood be there among all communities. Rest is for government to decide,” the bench said. The PIL was filed by Ajay Jain, alleging Haryana had failed to guarantee the Constitutional rights of life and personal liberty.