Groundwater Contamination - The Legal Chamber

The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to life under Article 21 encompasses a pollution-free environment. Criticizing prolonged state inaction, the Court modified an interim stay on NGT orders to allow enforcement of remedial measures. It constituted a High-Level Oversight Committee to ensure time-bound implementation, underscoring the constitutional duty to protect public health and ecology. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from severe and long-standing industrial and sewage pollution in the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni river system in Rajasthan, endangering the health and livelihoods of nearly two million people. The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance in September 2025 based on a documentary highlighting the crisis. This matter was clubbed with several pending civil appeals aga...

This Supreme Court judgment underscores that the National Green Tribunal must adhere to statutory procedures and principles of natural justice when passing adverse orders. The Supreme Court set aside the NGT's orders, holding that imposing environmental compensation without making the appellant a party, providing a hearing, or following the mandatory sampling process under the Water Act, 1974, renders the decision illegal and void. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from a complaint filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) alleging that M/s Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. was discharging untreated effluent from its Muzaffarnagar sugar mill, contaminating the local groundwater. The NGT constituted a Joint Committee to inspect the unit. Based on the Committee's reports, w...

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Supreme Court Takes Charge: Major Order to Save Rajasthan’s Polluted Rivers

Supreme Court Sets Aside NGT Order, Rules Tribunal Can’t Outsource Its Decision-Making to Committees