Centre For Youth Culture Law And Environment v. Lt Governor Of Delhi & ORS.

$~69 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 3810/2026, CM APPL. 18656/2026 & CM APPL. 18657/2026 CENTRE FOR YOUTH CULTURE LAW AND ENVIRONMENT .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Paras Tyagi, Adv.

versus LT GOVERNOR OF DELHI & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Sameer Vashisht, SC (Civil), GNCTD with Mr. Aryaman Vachher, Adv. for LG of Delhi

CORAM:

HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA

O R D E R

% 25.03.2026 1.

Heard learned counsel representing the parties. 2.

This public interest litigation petition raises concern in respect of certain vacant Gram Sabha land at Bakkarwala Village. 3.

A prayer has been made that appropriate directions be issued to the respondents to establish a Village Community Knowledge & Sports Hub comprising of Library and Indoor/Outdoor sports facilities on the land in question. A prayer has also been made to impose the exemplary costs and damages from the respondents for mismanagement of Gram Sabha land. 4.

It has been stated in the writ petition inter alia that a four-storey government building was constructed on an area of 12 acres of Gram Sabha The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

land between the years 2017 and 2022 with the huge costs around Rs. 10-15 crores and the building was intended to serve as the "Delhi Teachers' University" or a "World Class Skill Centre", however, even after completion of the construction, the structure has been left abandoned and unutilized. 5.

The submission on behalf of the petitioner is that state exchequer was hugely burdened with the construction of the building, however, on account of lack of interest, the building has now been abandoned rendering the expenditure futile and therefore in the light of these facts, appropriate directions may be issued to the authorities concerned to utilise the land in question in public interest, which may serve the cause of the residents of the area.

6.

Mr. Sameer Vashisht, learned Standing Counsel representing the GNCTD has submitted that the entire Gram Sabha land is kept under supervision of the District Magistrate concerned and therefore, it is the District Magistrate of the area concerned, who may consider the grievances raised in this writ petition and take appropriate decision. 7.

Though, the petitioner is said to have made several representations to the authorities in past, however, we permit the petitioner to file a detailed representation to the District Magistrate concerned, taking all the pleas which may be available to him under law enclosing all the documents on which he intends to rely upon, for ventilation of these grievances. The said representation shall be made within a fortnight from today and once any such representation to be made by the petitioner under this order is received by the District Magistrate concerned, the same shall be personally attended to by him and appropriate decision thereon shall also be taken. 8.

We further provide that if the submissions made in the writ petition to The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

the effect that the building in the village was constructed at the expense of the state exchequer and it has now been abandoned, which has resulted in public expenditure going waste, responsibility for such waste of public money shall also be fixed by the District Magistrate while taking decision on the representation to be preferred by the petitioner. 9.

The District Magistrate is directed to take decision on the representation, under this order within 03 months from the date it is served upon. The decision by District Magistrate which may be taken under this order shall also be communicated to the petitioner. 10.

The public interest litigation petition along with pending applications stands disposed of with the aforesaid observations and directions. DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TEJAS KARIA, J MARCH 25, 2026/j The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.