High Court Directs Delhi Jal Board To Immediately Repair Broken Water Pipelines Passing Through A Cemetery, Allegedly Damaging Graves

The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Jal Board to immediately commence repairing work of the sewage and water pipelines passing through a cemetery in Delhi's Nizamuddin area. The direction was passed on being informed that leakage in the pipelines has submerged the whole qabristan in water.

"Perusal of photographs show immense water logging in that area," Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva observed.

The petition was filed by Mohd. Shakeel, the Mutawalli/ Sajjadanasheen of the Tikona Dargah, duly gazetted as Waqf property, housing more than 100 graves. He submitted that two water pipelines pass through the Qabristan and the same were busted over than two months ago. However, no action was taken to repair the same despite many complaints.

Now, the flow of water is so much that the whole qabristan is submerged in water causing damage to the graves and trees and electric poles fell due to flooding of water, his counsel Advocate Syed Hasan Isfahani submitted.

The plea stated,

"Due to carelessness and inaction of the Respondent the situation at the Qabristan has become worst as the water not only entered into the graves but also caused such damage to the graves that they cannot be repairable. The water leaking from the pipelines, now causing life threats to the family of Khadims of Dargah and also to the piligrims."

Accordingly, the Court directed the Jal Board to commence rectificatory steps and ensure that pipelines are immediately repaired. The situation will be reviewed in two weeks.

The matter is now posted for December 17.

Case Title: Mohd. Shakeel v. Delhi Jal Board