Water supply cannot be cut as penalty

The Bombay high court has recently ruled that water is a basic necessity and the right to clean water is part of the right to life. The BMC cannot disconnect a person's water supply as a penalty for unpaid bills. In the instant case, when the petitioner moved into a rented apartment there were arrears in water bill left by the previous tenant. Inspite of her request to pay the arrears the municipal corporation disconnected  her water supply without any prior notice.
The right to clean water is a fundamental right being part of the right to life. The court observed that it would consider the breach of fundamental rights very seriously. Being part of one's constitutional right, a civic body cannot be justified in disconnecting water supply to anyone's residence even in cases of unpaid bills.