Parivartan Foundation v. South Delhi Municipal Corporation & Ors.

1. We have had grave reservations about the bonafide ofthe petitioner organization. Several startling submissions have been made from the side of the respondents regarding the petitioner I tb trust. We had therefore,passed an order dated 20 February,2018 in W.P.(C)No.876/2018 requiring the SDMC to conduct an inquiry regarding the properties ofthe trustees. The petitioners were also directed to file individual affidavits of the trustees regarding the properties owned by them.

2. Today, a writ petition, being W.P.(C)No.5726/2017, All India Social Crime & Anticorruption Organization v. South Delhi W.P.(C)9040/2017& 11236/2017. page2of[3] o y ' Municipal Corporation & Anr. was listed before us targeting one individual property. What was unfortunate was that Shri Pawan Kumar Jha, Vice President, Parivartan Foundation (petitioner herein) has filed W.P.(C)No.5726/2017 claiming to be a member ofthe petitioner therein. ^

3. In view of'the above, we are satisfied that these writ petitionshave notbeen filed in publicinterestor are bonafide. We are therefore,notinclined to entertain these writ petitions claiming to have been filed in public interest.

4. Needlessto saythatthe SDMC hasto actin accordance with law and shall ensure thatits actions are so guided.

5. In view of the above, these writ petitions and applications are dismissed.

ACTING QPIEF JUSTICE C.HARISHANKAR,J MARCH 12,2018 aj V ^ \)|J W.P.(C)9040/2017& 11236/2017 page 3 of[3] $-38 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI ) + W.P.(C)11236/2017 PARIVARTAN FOUNDATION Petitioner Through: Mr.Deepak K.Sharma,Advoeate. Mr.Ajit Kumar,Advocate for the applicants in C.M.No.17780/2019.

VERSUS

SOUTH DFXHI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND ORS. Respondents Through: Mr.Ajjay Aroraa,Advocate with Mr. Kapil Dutta,Advocate for SDMC. Mr.Anuj Aggarwal,Advocate for respondent Nos.[2] and 3. Mr.Anupam Verma,Advocate with Mr.Nikhil Sharma,Advocate and Mr. Aditya Gupta,Advocate for BRPL. CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE ANUP JAIRAM BHAMBHANI ORDER % 15.04.2019 C.M.No.17780/2019 This application has been filed by the applicants herein,namely Sh. Bandana Mishra, Sh. Braj Bhusan Chaudhary, Sh. Pankaj Bisht and Smt. Kavita Mishra, contending that they are residents of the houses indicated in respeetive affidavits filed alongwith the application; and that steps are being taken for disconnecting the electricity connections provided to them in their houses. It is argued by the applicants that the aforesaid action has been taken in the light ofcertain interim orders and directions issued by a Coordinate Division Bench of this Court in a Public Interest Litigation filed being W.P.(C) No.11236/2017 titled as Parivartan Foundation Vs.South DelhiMunicipal Corporation ofDelhi& Ors. It is the case of the applicants that even though they were not the respondents in the said case which pertained to removal of unauthorized construction and disconnecting amenities in such unauthorized construction, the impugned action has been taken against them in an illegal manner. It is further stated that being aggrieved by the aforesaid action, applicants have filed writ petitions before a learned Single Bench of this Court being W.P.(C) Nos.3331/2019, 3332/2019, 3333/2019 & 3335/2019 but the same were disposed of with directions to file the application in W.P.(C) No.11236/2017 in the ease ofParivartan Foundation (supra). Having considered the contentions canvassed, we are of the view that the present application is based on a fresh cause of action. In the case ofParivartan Foundation (supra) a general submission was made with regard to the inaction ofstatutory authorities, like the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, in permitting illegal and unauthorized construction to flourish and failing to take any action as is required under the statutory provisions. Taking note of the aforesaid, this Court had issued directions that unauthorized construction should be removed; and if it is not removed,then,amenities in such buildings should be disconnected. It seems that it is in pursuance of such directions that the impugned action has been taken. However, the order passed in the case of Parivartan Foundation (supra) by a Division Bench was a general order without examining the merits of the matter with reference to unauthorized construction or otherwise in any particular building. It is now the case of the applicants that there is no unauthorized construction in their properties and on various grounds they seek to show that electricity connection has to be restored or granted to them. Even though counsel appearing for the SDMC refutes the aforesaid oral submissions, we are of the considered view that the cause of action which is canvassed by the applicants is a fresh cause ofaction, which has to be examined;and in our considered opinion in relegating the applicants to file this application the writ court did not take note of these factors. What was sought to be done in the earlier writ petition was an effort only to remove unauthorized construction and the intent was that only such construction should be removed which was unauthorized. If it is the case ofthe applicants that there is no authorized construction in their properties and thatthey are entitled to the benefits ofamenities,then,it would be a fresh cause ofaction for the applicants to challenge the same before the appropriate Court of law. Ifsuch an action is taken by the applicants,then,the Court will decide the case of the applicants uninfluenced by orders or J observations made in the case of Parivartan Foundation (supra). The Court shall proceed to examine the case ofeach ofthe applicants in accordance with law. Application is accordingly disposed of.

CHIEF JUSTICE ANUP JAIRAM BHAMBHANI,J APRIL 15,2019 Ne