Delhi High Court Takes Judicial Note Of Report On Over 3000 Soldiers Of Rajputana Rifles Passing Through 'Filthy Drain' Daily

The Delhi High Court has taken judicial note of a newspaper report stating that over 3,000 soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles have to pass through a filthy drain every morning while marching out of their barracks for heading towards the parade ground.

A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed that the soldiers are required to pass through the “culvert” four times a day, the drain is stated to be flooded and is slick with sludge and sometimes near waist- deep in places.

The Court took suo motu cognizance of the report published in Hindustan Times on May 26 titled “A smelly trail from barracks to grounds: Regiment's daily battle.”

The Bench was dealing with two pleas in which directions have been issued from time to time for cleaning of various drains within the national capital since 2024.

The Court said that the newspaper report relating to the soldiers who have to march through this drain is indeed an “unacceptable situation.”

“The report states that a bridge was requested but has not yet been built. The Nominated Counsel for the Delhi Cantonment Board is present in the Court today and has been requested to accept the notice,” the Court said.

It directed the Delhi Cantonment Board to file a brief status report by May 29, when the matter will be heard next.

In February, the Court had directed the Special Task Force to remove all illegal encroachments and constructions, including a five storey building, that were obstructing the natural flow of the Taimoor drain in Delhi.

Observing that the demolition and expansion of the Drain has to continue in right earnest, the Court said that the cleaning of the drain must be undertaken as a continuous exercise, with operations being carried out at least twice daily, in the morning and evening.

It is made clear that the cleaning of the garbage in the vicinity of the drain, shall be the responsibility of the MCD, the Bench added.

Title: MAHARANI BAGH CO-OPERATIVE HOUSE BUILDING AND WELFARE SOCIETY LTD., & ANR v. UNION OF INDIA& ORS and other connected matter

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 625

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