The Supreme Court today slammed “rampant corruption” in the Commonwealth Games to be held here and castigated the government for the collapse of the foot overbridge “like a pack of cards” near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
“In this country, payments are made without work being done. Newly-constructed bridge collapsed like a pack of cards. Rs 70,000 crore are involved (in the games). There is rampant corruption in the country. We cannot shut our eyes,” a Bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly said.
The Bench made the remarks during the hearing of a matter in which it was alleged that NDMC constructed a high-rise building near the protected Jantar Mantar.
During the hearing, it was also pointed out that other buildings have been allowed near the vicinity of Jantar Mantar. “How mindless and lawless are you? No regard for history, no regard for Constitution. There is a totally unethical government with no moral values. Money is the only thing that matters. Why don’t you convert Jantar Mantar into a hotel or a mall and India will shine?” said the Bench. The Bench was hearing the petition filed by ASI in 2006.