IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (122) CWP-PIL-128-2025 Decided on :27.05.2025 PANKAJ BHANWRA ……Petitioner(s) Versus STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS ……Respondent(s) CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present:- Mr. Vaibhav Vats, Advocate for the petitioner. **** SUMEET GOEL, JUDGE 1. The writ petition in hand has been preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India with the following substantive prayer(s):- “(i) Issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus thereby directing the Respondents to take immediate and permanent steps to address the severe drinking water crisis in Morni Hills, District Panchkula and to ensure accountability, proper utilization of public funds, and enforcement of basic human right to water; (ii) Direct the Respondents to replace outdated pipelines, install filtration and sedimentation mechanisms, construct decentralized water storage tanks, and connect all panchayats to sustainable water sources, including the Tikkar Tal Ghazhan project; NAVEEN NAGPAL 2025.05.28 14:01 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment HIgh Court Chandigarh CWP-PIL-128-2025 P a g e | 2 (iii) Direct an independent audit of public funds utilized for drinking water infrastructure in Morni Hills in the past five years; (iv)Direct the Respondents to take strict action against any officials found guilty of misconduct, absenteeism, or dereliction of duty; (v)Direct constitution of Village-Level Water Monitoring Committees in each panchayat under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula.” 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner after arguing for sometime has limited his prayer by stating that he would be satisfied, for the nonce, if a direction is issued to respondent No.2 (Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula) to consider and take a conscious decision on the representation dated 15.05.2025 made by the petitioner (copy whereof has been annexed as Annexure P-4 with the petition in hand) in a time-bound manner. 3. Notice of motion. 4. On the strength of advance copy, Mr. Deepak Balyan, Additional Advocate General, Haryana has entered appearance on behalf of the respondents. He has urged that he has no objection in case limited prayer made by the petitioner, for decision of his representation dated 15.05.2025 (Annexure P-4) is directed for. 5. Having heard learned counsel for the rival party(s) and upon perusal of the paper-book, we deem it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition in hand with the following directions: (i) Respondent No.2 (Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula) is mandated to look into the representation dated 15.05.2025 (Annexure P-4) moved by the petitioner, objectively consider the grievance(s) raised therein & take ratiocinated decision thereupon within a period of 7 days from today. It is hoped and expected that the said authority (Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula) shall take a pragmatic decision and requisite consequential NAVEEN NAGPAL 2025.05.28 14:01 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment HIgh Court Chandigarh CWP-PIL-128-2025 P a g e | 3 steps accordingly, as per law, duly mindful of the factual milieu of lis in hand pertaining to drinking water, especially considering the ongoing summer season. (ii) No order as to costs. (SUMEET GOEL) (SHEEL NAGU) JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE May 27, 2025 Naveen Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether Reportable : Yes/No NAVEEN NAGPAL 2025.05.28 14:01 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment HIgh Court Chandigarh