Delhi High Court Refuses To Entertain A PIL Seeking Removal Of Police Booths Constructed On Pavements

The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a PIL, which sought removal of illegally constructed police booths on pavements.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice D.N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh granted an option to the petitioner to withdraw the petition or to bear costs. On this, the petition was withdrawn unconditionally and the Court observed "We don't want to impose costs when good lawyers are appearing". The Court further observed that "The state is a police state first and then a welfare state".

The PIL was filed by Jan Sewa Welfare Trust, through Mr. Bankey Bihari.

The Counsel for the Petitioner contended that pedestrians come first and their welfare should be of paramount importance as held In Olga Teli's case. It was further contended that the illegally constructed booths are harmful to the people using the pavements.

The petitioner submitted that thousands of pedestrians have lost their lives while walking on roads due to the fact of pavements being occupied.

The plea further contended that only 20-30% of police booths have legal electricity connections, however, all police booths have amenities such as electricity connection, water connections, air conditioners, and display boards. The petition further alleges police booths have not complied with their bills regarding the amenities availed.

The petition sought to fix the liability of erring officials who failed to take action on the unauthorized police booths and further on non-recovery of dues for the amenities availed by these unauthorized police booths.