Supreme Court Dismisses Plea On Earthquakes: Should We Relocate Everyone To Moon?

New Delhi:

"So we should relocate everyone to the moon or where?" the Supreme Court inquired on Friday while dismissing a petition claiming that 75 percent of India's population resides in high seismic zones, seeking directions for authorities to implement measures to minimize earthquake damage.

The petitioner, representing himself, informed the bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that while previously only Delhi was considered to be in a high seismic zone, recent findings indicate that 75 percent of India's population now falls within such zones.

"So we should relocate everyone to the moon or where?" the bench responded.

When the petitioner mentioned a recent major earthquake in Japan, the bench remarked, "First we have to bring volcanoes into this country, then we can compare it with Japan."

The petitioner argued that authorities should establish arrangements to minimize damage in the event of an earthquake.

"That is for the government to take care of; this court cannot do it. Dismissed," the bench concluded.

At the beginning of the proceedings, the petitioner stated that he had recently gathered significant information relevant to his petition.

The bench maintained that these matters fall under government policy decisions.

When the petitioner referenced certain media reports, the bench observed, "These are newspaper reports. We are not bothered about them."