SC rejects PIL against Bihar officials on Kosi floods

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL seeking an investigation into the alleged criminal negligence by the concerned officials and bureaucrats of Bihar to fix responsibility for the devastating floods in the state, which uprooted millions of people.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam refused to entertain the petition of Yuwa Shakti, an NGO, holding that the Court cannot interfere in such matters.

The Court asked the counsel for the petitioner whether the petitioner made some investigation to find out if the state administration was negligent.

The apex court also told G P Singh, counsel for the petitioner, that the petition was based only on press cuttings.

The Kosi enbankments had given way on Nepal side on August 18, leading to devastating floods which left hundreds dead and about 30 lakh people marooned and homeless in 15 districts of Bihar.

Mr Singh, however, demanded an independent inquiry, alleging that the chief engineers had informed the state government authorities well in advance on August 6 that the embankments had been badly damaged and might give way any time. Notwithstanding that, no necessary steps had been taken.

UNI/SC ATI AS1330