"Lackadaisical Attitude Towards Judicial Proceedings": Delhi High Court Slams DDA Over Non-Filing Of Response Despite Repeated Opportunities

The Delhi High Court has pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over non-compliance of its orders for filing reply in a case relating to land allotment for the benefit of persons with disabilities.

 Justice Najmi Waziri observed that there was a lackadaisical and recalcitrant attitude of the DDA towards Court proceedings.

The Judge added that the responsibility for the non-compliance shall be fixed by the Vice Chairman, DDA on the officer concerned.

"Evidently, the order had no effect on the DDA management. There is no response. There is evident lackadaisical, indeed recalcitrant, attitude of DDA towards the court proceedings," the Court said.

The Court was dealing with a petition wherein a society namely New Global Vision Society sought allotment of an institutional land for the benefit of persons with disabilities under Person with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

The Court had in its previous order observed that despite pendency of the request for about four years, there was no response from DDA.

The Court had also expressed its displeasure over the non filing of reply or counter affidavits in various matters by the DDA despite having been accorded sufficient time.

Accordingly, the Court had directed the Vice Chairman, DDA for looking into the manner of instructions being given to DDA counsel, not only in the present case but also in other cases as well.

When the matter was taken up recently on October 27, the Court again noted that its order had no effect on the DDA management and there is no response from the authority.

The Court has now granted last opportunity to the DDA for filing it's response, subject to payment of Rs. 25,000 to be deducted from the salary of the officer responsible for delay.

"…at the request of the learned counsel for DDA, yet another last opportunity is granted to file a reply, subject to payment of Rs.25,000/-, which shall be deducted from the salary of the officer concerned, who may have caused the delay by not explaining the reason to the counsel or for not giving the instructions apropos the filing of a reply. The aforesaid amount be deposited with the DCF (West) within three weeks."

It also directed that an affidavit be filed by the Commissioner, DDA with the prior approval of the Vice Chairman, DDA explaining as to what action had been taken regarding the Court's observations in the previous order.

The Court added that in case of failure of filing of the said affidavit, assistance of the Vice Chairman DDA in person may become imperative.

The matter will now be considered on December 20.

Case Title: NEW GLOBAL VISION SOCIETY v. DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND OTHERS

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