A Report on Fact finding trip to Vasant Kunj by Legal Aid Society

Based on an article published in 'The Hindu' on the issue of the establishment of a mobile tower near Bloom Valley School in Vasant Kunj, a group of volunteer from the environment and RTI subgroups of the Legal Aid Society went on a fact finding trip to Vasant Kunj. As per the directives of the World Health Organization, establishing mobile towers in the vicinity of schools, hospitals and residential areas is prohibited as it is established that the radiation from these towers adversely effects physical and mental health of human beings. A mobile tower has been set up near the school which would effect the children who would be more susceptible to such harm.  The volunteer

group of the Legal Aid Society made it's first stop at Bloom Valley School where they had a talk with the authorities of the school. After preliminary enquiries about the school's stand on the issue, the group went to the site where the tower was located. They made enquiries about the tower from the security guard appointed to oversee it. It was found out that the mobile tower was at that place for the past three to four months. To ascertain the problems faced by the residents living nearby, the group met a few residents who were asked about their views on the issue. The residents were also informed about the ill effects of the radiation . To make further enquiries about any complaints being lodged against setting up of this mobile tower, the group moved to the Vasant Kunj Police station where they came to know that this issue was not brought to the police's notice nor were any complaints filed against the setting up of this tower. The police also maintained that this was not a subject matter of their jurisdiction and that this issue fell under the purview of The Municipal Corporation Of Delhi and the Delhi Development Authority and it was up to them to take any decision onthis issue. Owing to the paucity of time the trip was called off for the day. It was an enriching experience for the group of students who learnt about making enquiries and preliminary investigations. It was the first practical experience on fact finding for many students in the group. On the basis of the information gathered, the Legal Aid Society divided tasks among the various subgroups to further pursue the case in an effort to address the issue.

Ashay Anand