UPSC Aspirants' Deaths: Delhi HC Blames Freebie Culture For Infrastructural Breakdown

New Delhi: In a stern rebuke, the Delhi High Court criticized the Delhi government for the chaotic state of the city’s infrastructure, following the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to severe waterlogging in Rau's IAS Study Circle, in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi. The court attributed the situation to the "freebie culture" of the government, which has left it without funds for essential infrastructure development. ACJ Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela were hearing the matter on Wednesday. The hearing will resume on Friday.

‘It’s An Infrastructural Breakdown, Accountability Must Be Probed'

The High Court also highlighted the issue of accountability, stating, "This is a strategy where no one is held responsible. We need to determine where one official's jurisdiction ends and another's responsibility begins. If the investigating officer does not conduct a proper investigation, we might hand it over to a central agency."

The court asserted its intention to ensure accountability, declaring, "We will pass orders to establish responsibility in this matter." It described the situation as an "infrastructural breakdown" and criticized the conflicting objectives among officials, saying, "Unfortunately, many officials are working at cross-purposes. There's too much blame-shifting. The entire administrative structure of Delhi needs to be re-examined."

‘Your Civic Authority is Bankrupt' 

“We are living in a jungle where people are dying of fire and water,” the petitioner said. During the hearing, the court questioned why such a tragic incident occurred, highlighting the significant gap between the city’s basic infrastructure and its current needs. The court noted, "You are allowing multi-story buildings, but there are no proper drains. You've mixed sewage with stormwater drains, causing water to flow backward."

The court pointed out the dire financial state of the civic authorities, stating, "Your civic authority is bankrupt. If you don't have money to pay salaries, how will you upgrade infrastructure? You want a 'freebie culture.' You are not collecting any money, so you are not spending any money."

In its remarks, the High Court demanded accountability and efficiency from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). It criticized the delay in project completions, pointing out the absence of a standing committee to approve projects costing over ₹5 crores.

The petitioner’s lawyer emphasized the dangers posed by current building regulations, noting the existence of six-story buildings with double basements, labeling them a significant hazard.

The court also questioned the government’s approach to infrastructure development, asking why the old infrastructure was not upgraded before liberalizing building rules. It further criticized the lack of action against senior MCD officials, who should be supervising the situation but remain confined to their air-conditioned offices.

Expressing frustration, the court said, “Sometimes senior officials need to step out and take responsibility. If you think you can fight nature with buildings, you are wrong. What kind of planning is this? One day you complain about the drought, the next day about floods.”

The court concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for the government to address its freebie culture, asking, “How do you plan to accommodate such a large population without upgrading infrastructure?”