[Chandni Chowk encroachment] Deploy trained constables to check squatting, monitor CCTV footage: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to examine the possibility of deploying beat constables who are properly trained and sensitised to deal with encroachments in the capital's Chandni Chowk area [Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal (Regd) v. Delhi Police Through Commissioner of Police and Ors]..A Division Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Dinesh Kumar Sharma said that a dedicated team of officers/personnel should be developed to monitor the CCTV feeds in control rooms to check for encroachments in the area..The directions came after the judges were informed that 576 cameras have been installed to remove encroachers and to monitor the status of encroachment in and around Chandni Chowk.The Court was told that while 130 of these cameras were installed by the Public Works Department (PWD), the control room tasked with monitoring the feed is not functional as yet.The Bench, therefore, directed the Superintendent Engineer of the PWD to make sure that the room is functional within the next two weeks, and is handed over to the Delhi Police..The Court was dealing with a petition filed by local traders associations highlighting the status of encroachment in the area.In the last hearing, the Court had expressed its displeasure over the fact that the Delhi Police in its status report filed photographs of January 22, 23 and 26.It was pointed out by counsel for the petitioners Senior Advocate Sanjeev Ralli that while January 22 and 23 were strict curfew days, January 26 was Republic Day when no squatting of hawking activity was permitted in the area for security reasons.Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, and North Delhi Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Goyal, were both asked to appear before the Court today..Asthana told the Court that in pursuance of its earlier order, the Delhi Police has decided to entrust the job of monitoring the issue of encroachments to the ACPS concerned who would in turn report to the DCPs.Meanwhile, Goyal said that the corporation has identified 24 streets for the purpose of allotment of the street vending sites that would accommodate the existing street vendors, and that 2,436 vending certificates have been given so far.The case will now be considered on April 19.