India, March 1 -- The Supreme Court on Friday reprimanded the Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage for its negligence in protecting Rajasthan's Jal Mahal lake, stating that its inaction had led to severe pollution of the historic water body.

A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the municipal body to engage the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to prepare a comprehensive report on immediate pollution control measures and long-term strategies for restoring and preserving the lake.

"We wonder how the city of Jaipur will become 'smart' by damaging Jal Mahal lake beyond repair," said the bench, pointing out the irony of the municipal commissioner appearing in the virtual hearing with a "Smart City" si...