In a pivotal session on Wednesday, the Supreme Court urged the Delhi government to furnish an affidavit detailing its actions to safeguard against water loss, encompassing measures taken against the notorious water tanker syndicates.

A bench, presided over by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and P. B. Varale, pressed the Delhi administration to document its crackdown on water tanker mafias amidst the pressing water scarcity gripping the capital. Justice Mishra emphasized that should the Delhi government falter in action, recourse to the Delhi police for intervention against these mafias should be pursued. The apex court stipulated that the affidavit should be submitted either today or by tomorrow, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for Thursday. Representing the Delhi government before the apex court were Senior Advocate A M Singhvi and Advocate Shadan Farasat.

In the courtroom discourse, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, representing the Haryana government, lamented the Delhi Jal Board’s alarming water distribution losses, pegged at a staggering 52.95 percent. Farasat countered, asserting that all state boards face similar challenges, hovering around the 50 percent mark. Singhvi underscored that Haryana has been particularly obstructive in water supply matters, unlike any other state in the nation.

On June 6, the Supreme Court, admonishing against politicization of water issues, directed the Haryana government to facilitate the release of 137 cusecs of surplus water from Himachal Pradesh to alleviate the water crisis gripping the capital.

The apex court was deliberating on a petition filed by the Delhi government, seeking Haryana’s compliance in releasing surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to address the ongoing water crisis.