Delhi High Court Seeks Report On Steps Taken By Municipal Corporations To Control Mosquito Infestation Amid Monsoon Season

The High Court today asked the Municipal Corporations in Delhi to file a status report indicating the steps taken by them to prevent mosquito infestation in the national capital, especially in view of the monsoon season.

"File a latest status report, keeping in view the monsoon season," the CJ told the Respondents.

The bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh had taken suo moto cognizance of mosquito infestation in the national capital on May 24, observing that the steps taken by the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporations of Delhi have taken a "back seat" in tackling the spread of Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. It had expressed its apprehension about the fact that various patients who are contacting dengue and Chikungunya viruses who require hospitalization may find it difficult to get a hospital bed as the same are occupied due to Covid-19 situation.

Accordingly, the matter was listed before Chief's bench.

Today, the Municipal Corporations of North, East and South Delhi were represented before the Court. Counsel for Delhi Jal Board was also present.

Further, one Advocate Arpit Bhargava sought to make submissions in the matter. He is the petitioner-in-person in a PIL filed in 2017, seeking directions to the authorities to take concrete steps for prevention of the spread of dengue, chikungunya and malaria.

"Directions were passed for controlling Dengue, Chikungunya in my petition. Contempt proceedings were also initiated. My matter may be tagged along," he urged.

However, the Bench said it will first peruse the authorities' replies in due course.

Reportedly, two cases of malaria, two of dengue and no cases of chikungunya were reported from NDMC jurisdiction till May 27. Four cases of malaria, ten of dengue and two of chikungunya are said to be reported from SDMC jurisdiction till the said date. EDMC had also claimed that till May 27, one case of malaria and two of dengue were reported in its areas.  

The matter is now posted for hearing on September 16.