Delhi High Court Orders DDA to Pay Rs 20 Lakh Compensation for Tragic Drain Accident

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to pay Rs 20 lakh as compensation to the family of a mother and her young son who died after falling into an waterlogged open drain. The accident occurred due to alleged negligence on the part of DDA contractors.

The Delhi High Court has mandated that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) provide Rs 20 lakh as compensation to the legal heirs of a woman and her three-year-old son who tragically died after falling into a waterlogged open drain in July.

Initially, the DDA's counsel offered Rs 15 lakh, but the court, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, insisted on Rs 20 lakh, describing it as the 'norm.' The court's order clarified that this compensation was being given as a humanitarian gesture and not an admission of liability.

This directive came during a hearing of a public interest litigation filed by a local resident, Jhunnu Lal Srivastava, who accused the DDA and its contractor of negligence. The court also noted that the area where the accident happened remains 'quite dirty' and urged immediate cleanup to prevent health issues such as dengue.

(With inputs from agencies.)