New Delhi, 17 September (H.S.): The Central government has opposed a plea filed before the Delhi High Court seeking to implead former IPS officer and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi as a party in the case concerning the collapse of a building in Satya Niketan. A bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya observed that Bedi’s experience as an administrator could be useful while considering issues related to the incident.

During the hearing, the court said that Bedi is a responsible citizen of the country and has considerable experience. “This is a matter of wider public interest,” the court observed, adding that her extensive experience could be utilised in the matter. The court also told the Centre not to view the issue from a confrontational perspective.

Appearing for the Central government, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, referring to Bedi’s plea, said that she was already prejudiced in the matter. He said the Centre would file its response in the case. The court subsequently directed the Central government to submit its response within three weeks.

On September 7, the Delhi High Court had directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a high-level inquiry into the sudden collapse of a building in the Satya Niketan area of south Delhi. The bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya had also directed the Delhi government to expedite efforts to rescue students trapped in the incident. The High Court had warned the Delhi government that it could not evade responsibility for the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar