MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI vs SUBHAGWANTI & OTHERS(With connected Appeals)

The Supreme Court upheld the application of the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur in a case involving the collapse of a Clock Tower owned by the Municipal Committee, resulting in fatalities. The Court established that the owner has a special obligation to ensure the safety of structures adjacent to public highways, and negligence can be inferred from the mere occurrence of such an incident. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision on damages, emphasizing that the owner is liable regardless of whether defects are patent or latent, thus maintaining the awarded damages of Rs. 25,000, Rs. 7,200, and Rs. 9,000.