‘Municipal officials incorrigible’: HC raps Nayagaon civic body in Mohali over broken manholes, imposes Rs 10,000 cost

“This is not the first round of litigation. The functionaries of the municipal council appear incorrigible,” the Chief Justice observed.

During the hearing, the civic body’s counsel Saurabh Verma produced photographs claiming that the repair work had been completed. However, the bench pointed out that the pictures on pages 8, 9, and 10 of the record clearly showed several manholes still broken and uncovered.

“What about these damaged holes which are still visible?” Chief Justice Nagu asked. The counsel attempted to explain that some of the damage may have been caused by torrential rain and heavy vehicles carrying construction material, despite restrictions on their movement. He added that the council was taking action against the contractor and repairs were ongoing.

The bench was unconvinced. “Despite repeated opportunities, several potholes and manholes are yet to be properly repaired,” it pointed out.

On Monday, the bench had directed Ravneet Singh, Executive Officer of the civic body, to appear virtually before it so that his municipal duties were not hampered. But on Wednesday, Singh appeared in person, prompting the court to remark that its intention had been “flouted” and that officers should not be pulled away from their workstations.

Deprecating the civic body’s conduct, the bench imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 and directed Singh to explain within a week why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for non-compliance with its orders.

Advocate Sunil Kumar, counsel for the petitioner Sher Singh, said this is the third time they were approaching the court. Singh had first filed a PIL for the repair of open and damaged manholes in Nayagaon. The civic body then conducted temporary repair work, forcing the petitioner to move the court, which appointed Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain as the Commissioner. But there was no improvement in the condition of the manholes, prompting the petitioner to approach the court again.

The matter will be taken up again next week.