New Delhi, Sep 15: The Supreme Court on Monday refused
to pass any direction relating to flood caused by river Kosi
in Bihar, saying that the court cannot interfere in such an
issue.
"What this court can do?" a Bench headed by Chief
Justice KG Balakrishnan said when the PIL filed by advocate
Praveen Chandra made an attempt to clarify that havoc caused
by the flood was not a natural disaster but a man-made
calamity.
"Have you made any investigation?" the Bench, which also
comprised Justice P Sathasivan, asked and said it would not
rely on the newspaper report which formed the basis of the
petition.
"Your relief cannot be granted," the Bench said,
dismissing the PIL.
Another PIL on the issue filed by an NGO Yuva Shakti also
attracted the same fate with the bench dubbing it a publicity
seeking litigation.
The apex court which had heard the NGO's petition on
September 2 had said the Centre and Bihar government were
carrying out their part of work in the flood-hit districts of
the state.
The floods caused by the river Kosi have been declared a
"national calamity".
The Bench also wanted to know from the NGO about the
probe done by it relating to the floods.
The NGO had sought appointment of an independent
committee headed by a retired apex court or High Court judge
to assess the nature of casualty. It suggested the inquiry
could even be handed over to the National Human Rights
Commission.
Bureau Report
