The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a ₹10,000 penalty on the District Magistrate (DM) of North Delhi for failing to comply with court orders and attempting to mislead the tribunal during a hearing on compensation for victims of a factory fire. The decision underscores the tribunal’s zero-tolerance approach toward negligence in legal proceedings.
Background of the Case
The case pertains to a tragic explosion and fire incident at a food processing unit in Delhi’s Narela industrial area in June 2023. Three workers lost their lives, and three others sustained severe injuries. The NGT had earlier directed authorities to ensure compensation for the victims’ families. However, during follow-up hearings, the North Delhi DM repeatedly failed to submit required responses or appear before the tribunal.
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A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, alongside judicial members Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member Afroz Ahmad, condemned the DM’s conduct. Despite receiving a court notice, the DM neither filed a reply nor attended the virtual hearing, citing “election duty” as his excuse. The tribunal confirmed the notice had been properly served, dismissing the justification as baseless.
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“We are surprised that the DM did not even have time to file an application seeking more time or exemption from appearance. This reflects a blatant disregard for the tribunal’s authority,” the bench stated in its January 27 order.
The court further highlighted that the DM had “actively misled” proceedings by instructing his lawyer incorrectly, worsening the breach of trust.
