TWIN ATTACK

Coming up is the sad 9/11 events’ 21st anniversary. On the terrible day of September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden’s militant Islamist organisation Al-Qaeda wreaked devastation in the heart of the United States of America. A total of 19 terrorists hijacked 4 different aircraft to carry out targeted suicide attacks. They planned to assault well-known buildings, inflict severe harm, and produce a huge number of fatalities. Five Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 with a destination of Los Angeles as part of their nefarious conspiracy. They took control of the aeroplane in midair under the terrorist Mohamed Atta’s direction. At 8:46 am, the hijacked aircraft was manoeuvred into colliding with the World Trade Center’s (WTC) North Tower (US Eastern Time).

Numerous evacuees and first responders still have lung conditions and other illnesses, despite the fact that the official casualty count from the 9/11 incident is currently estimated to be approximately 3000. This is a result of exposure to construction debris and an airborne hazardous chemical mixture in the wake of the Twin Towers’ fall. In addition to human remains, the twin tower collapse also destroyed glass, computers, HVAC systems, fluorescent lights, drywall, steel, cement, and other electrical equipment. Dioxins, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos fibre, and other toxins were present in the dust and smoke.

The situation in India

The Supertech Twin Towers Ceyane and Apex in Noida were destroyed on August 28 at about 2:30 PM utilising controlled demolition. Seven months were expended on the demolition preparations, including one month for preparation and six months for on-site work. On August 31, 2021, the Supreme Court issued an order for the twin skyscrapers to be demolished for collusion with Noida authorities’ violation of construction regulations. According to the supreme court, rigorous enforcement of the law is required to deal with the illegal building. The top court was notified by the Noida Authority in February that demolition work had begun and would be finished by May 22, 2022.

Authorities appear to have made all necessary preparations for the demolition of what would be India’s tallest towers ever, but the explosion and accompanying black plume of smoke and pollution might unleash an untamed beast. Massive quantities of smoke and dust will be produced during the demolition, endangering the health of everyone around. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Guidelines on Environmental Management of Construction and Demolition Waste, dust from various demolition activities can cause serious health problems, including eye irritation, nose, mouth, and respiratory system problems, even though the surrounding buildings have construction safety nets covering them. The rapid pace of the demolition, according to several experts, is also a cause for concern since it will release a significant amount of aerosol particles. The concentration of PM10 will undoubtedly be high for a few days or possibly months since a significant volume of concrete will be blasted. There will be a change in PM 2.5 levels, but there will also be an increase in PM 10. It is concrete, thus it will emit coarser particles.

What does it imply?

Any action that is based on bias or preference rather than on logic or evidence is arbitrary. Such activities exhibit arbitrariness when the decision-making process and the choice itself are based on nugatory information while neglecting important factors. The attribute of being capricious or uncontrolled in the exercise of will is known as arbitrariness. In order to pass the test for arbitrariness, a legislative act must be rational and be founded on observable principles. When a decision-making process is followed but no justifications are given, the choice was made arbitrarily. Why is it crucial to examine this doctrine? There are no established grounds on which this concept may be used to assess the legality of laws that are the subject of judicial review, particularly plenary legislation. The theory allows for a great deal of latitude for the judge conducting judicial review and allows for evaluations of the wisdom of Parliament. Any decision made by a court about a question or questions between the parties to a properly filed legal process is referred to as a judgement. They are meant to communicate the rationale and thinking process that the adjudicating forum used to reach its decision. But now, they seem to lose its relevance since they are not mulled upon meticulously. For instance, consider the Gujarat government’s judgement to commute the sentences of those convicted in the Bilkis Bano case defies established legal standards. The remission is incredibly erroneous, arbitrary, and capricious considering that the Mumbai court that found the defendants guilty expressed an opinion opposing their hasty release. On July 1, the Supreme Court excoriated Sharma for her derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammad, claiming that Sharma’s “loose tongue” had “put the entire country on fire” and that she was “single-handedly accountable for what is occurring in the country. The lamentable remarks are without precedent in the history of the judiciary and leave a skid mark on the legal system of the biggest democracy. The group, which consists of 25 veterans, 77 ex-all India forces officials, and 15 high court judges, claimed that the unfortunate remarks are out of line with the judicial culture and have caused shockwaves both inside and beyond the nation. So honourable is our justice system, abounding of prejudices.