High Court Warns Municipal Body Of Heavy Cost Over Failure To Repair Open Manholes In Punjab's Naya Gaon

In a strong worded rebuke to municipal apathy, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has warned civic authorities that they may face "heavy costs" or contempt of court proceedings if they continue to disobey Court's direction to repair the open Manholes in a neighbouring area of Chandigarh— Naya Gaon, that falls under Punjab Government.

The Court had asked the responsible Municipal Corporation to maintain the alleged open and broken Manholes on May 28.

"How much we will wait...we will put heavy cost on you", the bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry remarked orally today.

Counsel appearing for the Punjab Government submitted that the repair work was not carried out due to recent heavy rain fall and water logging in the area.

The bench said, "It appears from photos filed by the petitioner which was shot in July that the orders passed by the Court was not complied with...the petitioner has also taken photographs where several Manholes are found without cover or in damaged state. It appears that Municipal Corporation's Executive officer is taking the High Court for the ride. It is compelling the High Court to perform Municipal Functions."

It ordered, "Let the present state of manholes be filed on September 10...failing which we will proceed with contempt the contempt of Court. 

Title: ANIL SHARMA V/S STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS