NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed its 2021 suo motu proceedings on polluted rivers, including the Yamuna.
The Court observed that parallel proceedings before it and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) could lead to confusion and inconsistent directions.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Jeymalyo Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, passed the order.
The Court noted that it had taken suo motu cognizance in January 2021 over rising pollution in the Yamuna. The scope of the case was later expanded to include sewage discharge into rivers. Notices were issued to Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and the Union government.
It observed that the right to live in a clean and hygienic environment with dignity forms part of Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Court further said that under the Water Act, the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards are legally bound to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers.
However, it held that instead of continuing separate proceedings, it would be appropriate for the NGT to reopen the matter and monitor compliance.
The Bench clarified that the NGT is empowered to perform judicial and quasi-judicial functions, and that appellate remedies and judicial review remain available against its orders.
The case was originally triggered by concerns over toxic industrial discharge and high ammonia levels in the Yamuna, which had affected water supply in Delhi.
