South body files police complaint against builders

NEWDELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has lodged police complaints against at least two private builders after an inspection by the civic agency found that mosquitoes were breeding at the sites where construction was going on.

This is the first police complaint lodged by a civic agency in Delhi this season against those who failed to prevent breeding of mosquitoes by allowing water logging. Police complaints are being filed against repeat offenders, who refuse to cooperate with the civic agency despite several warnings.

While one complaint was lodged with the GK-I police station where the contractor was constructing a police station, the other was filed with the CR Park Police Station where a residential complex was coming up.

“During an inspection, it was found that mosquitoes were breeding at the basement of the under-construction police station near R Block, GK-I. At another site, a residential complex was being constructed. We have filed the complaints with police for negligence (under Section 269 of IPC) and now they will take appropriate action,” said Dr BK Hazarika, medical health officer, SDMC.

The drive will intensify since mosquito breeding gradually increases with the onset of monsoon, said Dr Hazarika.

DCP, south district, Romil Baaniya said, “We have received a complaint at GK I police station. Since the complaint has come from the civic agency, we will take appropriate legal action.”

The move has come three months after the Delhi High Court pulled up the civic authorities over their alleged “inaction” in controlling mosquito-borne diseases.

Then the civic agencies issued notices to all concerned officers saying that they can face termination if their dereliction of duty leads to outbreak of diseases. It has also given authority to deputy health officer to file police complaints. HT reported the matter on April 13.

Since January, the SDMC claims to have visited 50 lakh offices, and residential and industrial complexes. Of them, 22,000 were issued notices and 2,500 were issued magistrate challan for not taking steps to check mosquito breeding.

Besides, the civic agency has also issued 2,800 administrative challan amounting to ₹50- ₹50,000, said a senior SDMC official.

“To disseminate information on prevention of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya, SDMC mayor and commissioner had flagged off 104 auto tippers equipped with public addressing system, last week,” said the SDMC official.