Transparency And Accountability Important In Administrative Process: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has recently set aside the Airport Authority of India's (AAI) decision to reject the height elevation requesr for Tower II, a structure developed by Shrishti Infrastructure Development Corporation. The judgement delivered on October 15, 2024, stressed on the principles of natural justice and necessity for reasoned orders in administrative decisions. 

The case arose from a petition filed by Shrishti Infrastructure, which soughr to challenge the AAI's order dated March 8, 2019, that denied the elevation request based on a crude method of assessment. The petitioner argued that the AAI failed to provide a fair and transparent evaluation, relying on inadequate methodologies without proper methematical modelling. 

AAI countered that the height restriction was scientifically calculated using the NOCAS system and that the multi-radar criteria did not apply as Kolkata Airport only had one ASR radar.

The court highlighted that AAI, as a statutory authority, is obligated to provide valid and cogent reasons for its decisions. 

In its judgement, the Delhi High Court referenced several precedents, including the Supreme Court's emphaisis on the necessity of disclosing reasons for decisions to maintain public confidence in judicial and quassi - judicial authorities.The court noted that the AAI's impuged order was cryptic and lacked the necessary application of mind.  The Court noted the importance of transperarency and accountability in the administrative process.