The Delhi High Court has strongly condemned the extraction of water through illegal borewells, terming it as “nothing less than a sin,” and called for strict deterrent action against such offenders.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing a public interest litigation, warned that unchecked illegal borewell activity could lead Delhi towards a severe water crisis, similar to what Johannesburg, South Africa, faced a few years ago when the city ran dry for months.

“Some kind of deterrence needs to be imposed. It is nothing less than a sin the way illegal borewells are reducing the water level. Do you want Delhi to face a situation like Johannesburg?” the bench remarked during the hearing on April 9.

The court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sunil Kumar Sharma, who alleged that multiple illegal borewells or submersible pumps had been installed at an under-construction building on Goenka Road in the Roshanara area. He sought their immediate removal, citing environmental damage and risks to local residents.

In response to RTI applications filed by the petitioner, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) confirmed the presence of six borewells at the site. However, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Daryaganj reported that three borewells were found and have been sealed.

Taking serious note of the situation, the court directed a joint survey of the property by senior officials from the MCD, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the Station House Officer (SHO) of the concerned police station. The team has been instructed to complete the survey within 10 days and submit a detailed report.

“If any illegal borewell is found functional, appropriate action must be taken,” the bench stated, adding that the survey report should also include the number of borewells found, their operational history, and any environmental impact caused.

Depending on the survey findings, the court said it would consider imposing environmental compensation on the building owners for damaging the groundwater level.

The petitioner also informed the court that approximately 100 flats are being constructed on the plot, and the illegal extraction of groundwater is causing serious environmental concerns. Despite repeated representations to the authorities, no effective action had been taken, he claimed.

The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on July 30.