NEW DELHI, Oct 7:
The Supreme Court, in its judgement today, said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) does have the powers to suo motu register cases related to environmental matters and can initiate the proceedings on its own.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar, and also comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice CT Ravikumar, delivered the judgment after hearing a batch of petitions filed at the Apex court. The batch of petitions had raised many issues, including that of as to whether the NGT has the suo motu jurisdiction power or not in initiating and hearing environment matters on its own. The Supreme Court today passed the judgement, in connection with the case involving Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai against Ankita Sinha and other related cases.
The Union of India (UOI) had previously stated before the Apex Court that the NGT may initiate a case based on a letter, but not on its own.
Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) Anand Grover, who was appointed by the Supreme Court to argue and assist the court in the matter had told the Apex Court earlier that the NGT has no suo motu powers to act upon such cases.
The Apex Court had previously framed two issues in the matter as to whether does the NGT have suo motu powers, and can the NGT take suo motu cognisance of a matter pending at the Supreme Court or High Court or not.
The Apex Court today passed the judgement, after reserving the same after hearing a detailed argument from various parties, including the petitioners and respondents in the case. (UNI)
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