Temperature recorded at Safdarjung observatory

The Met department has predicted a drop in temperature to around 40°C for the next 7 days. The Capital witnessed its hottest May day since 2015 on Monday at 44.4°C. Met officials explained that a western disturbance is expected to trigger some thunderstorms and dust storms by Wednesday.

Dissatisfied over the Haryana police investigation, the Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate four FIRs against the damage to Munak canal in February 2016 during the Jat quota protest.

The four cases were registered—one each in Gannaur and Kundli and two in Kharkhoda for the canal breach, which disrupted water supply to Delhi for days together in February 2016—at the peak of Jat quota protests. During the hearing, it came to light that challan had been presented only in two cases against five persons while in two other cases, untraced reports were prepared by the police even as protesters in thousands had laid siege to the canal and disrupted the water supply. The cabinet secretariat had to pitch in and central forces were moved to secure the canal.

While ordering CBI probe into the cases, the high court bench of justice SS Saron and justice Darshan Singh observed that even after April 2017, when the court had asked the CBI if it would take over the probe, no progress was by the Haryana police. The CBI had expressed its reservation over taking over the probe, stating that it did not have requisite manpower. However, the court observed that the CBI could not shirk from its responsibility since the matter pertained to national security. The trial has now been stayed in these FIRs and a status report sought from the CBI within eight weeks.

The high court also took note of the Prakash Singh committee report, which probed the role of officials during violence. It had termed the incident an “internal security threat”.

Earlier impartial adviser in the matter, senior advocate Anupam Gupta, had brought before the court that the issue had bearing on national security and if perpetrators were not prosecuted, it could result in a disaster.

The canal, which channels water from north Indian rivers, accounts for about 60% of the Delhi’s water supply.

The Centre had to rush in the army after the canal was breached at several places by protesters.