HC impleads water body as respondent

In a case relating to the depleting ground water levels in Gurgaon against developer DLF, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now impleaded the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) as a respondent.

In a case relating to the depleting ground water levels in Gurgaon against developer DLF, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now impleaded the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) as a respondent.

HT Image

Impleading is a procedure where a third party, which is not already a party to the action but may ultimately be liable for the petitioner’s claim against the respondents, is brought into the case. A division bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover recently expressed its displeasure after the CGWA failed to provide any response on how to preserve and regulate the scarce natural resource as ground water in the city despite the HC’s directive on March 6.

“Unfortunately, the CGWA is yet to respond in the matter. We, therefore, have no alternative but to implead the said authority as a party respondent to the present proceedings,” observed the HC bench in its order.

The court has asked CGWA to file a comprehensive report on preserving and regulating ground water used for drinking, household activities and construction purposes. The authority has been asked to submit its report at least a week before the next hearing in the matter scheduled on May 8.

In 2008 and 2009, two PILs were filed against DLF by the residents. The petitions allege that the developer was illegally operating 28 wells to service its commercial hub cyber city and other projects.