SC dismisses Delhi Jal Board’s contempt petition

Action was sought against Haryana officials for not maintaining water level at the Wazirabad reservoir to serve capital’s needs

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a contempt petition filed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), seeking contempt action against Haryana Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan, and Additional Chief Secretary Irrigation and Water Resources Department Devender Singh, for wilfully disobeying a February 1996 order of the apex court to maintain water level at the Wazirabad reservoir at full capacity to serve the drinking water needs of the national capital. Appearing before a Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, senior advocate Vikas Singh, for the DJB, submitted that Haryana was not supplying Yamuna water to the capital, as required under the court order. Mr. Singh said there was a shortage of 450 cusecs of water supplied by Haryana to Delhi, regardless of the court’s directions.