GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Feb. The Delhi High Court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to submit a comprehensive status report elucidating the surge in dengue cases witnessed in the national capital over the past three months.
This directive comes in the wake of a suo motu case registered by the court in 2021 concerning the spread of vector-borne diseases.
A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan directed the civic body to furnish complete figures related to dengue cases across all its zones. The court also urged the Centre to promptly address the Delhi cabinet’s proposal to escalate the fine for mosquito breeding from ₹500 to ₹5,000.
During the proceedings, Amicus Curiae Advocate Rajat Aneja highlighted a staggering 300% increase in dengue cases over the last three months, particularly in the west zone, which reported over 380 cases.
Concerns were raised about certain zones, such as center and south, withholding data, prompting the court to demand a more detailed status report from the civic authority.
The bench instructed the MCD to file an improved status report within two weeks, emphasizing the need for a thorough explanation regarding the recent surge in dengue cases.
The Delhi government counsel informed the court about the proposal forwarded to the Centre to amend the law and increase the penalty for mosquito breeding. The court urged the Union of India to expedite a decision on this proposal, while also reminding it to consider a previous high court order advocating for on-the-spot fines to deter mosquito breeding.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on March 19, 2024.
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