Allahabad HC Raps UP Govt For 'Apathy' In Responding To PIL Over Pollution In River 'Saryu' At Ayodhya

The PIL plea, filed in 2014 by one Pawan Shastri, sought a time-bound Action Plan supported by an adequate budget for cleaning the Saryu River. Additionally, it sought to effectively implement environmental and pollution control Acts so that sewerage and other toxic chemicals are not discharged into the Saryu River without treatment.

Hearing the matter last month, the Court called for fresh affidavits from the official opposite parties (including the State of UP and the Pollution Control Board) regarding the steps taken regarding pollution in the Saryu River.

When the matter was again heard on May 14, a division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla noted that the state had not filed any affidavit pursuant to the Court's orders.

In view of this, noting the State officials' apathy in not responding to the court's order, the division bench granted the state government virtually the last chance to file their affidavit by May 30.

The Court made it clear that if such an affidavit isn't filed by May 30, an official not below the rank of Special Secretary in the Department of Environment, Govt. of U.P., will have to appear before the Court through 'video conferencing' mode.

In the meantime, the Pollution Control Board has been asked to submit an affidavit after conducting a proper exercise/ survey.

Further, the Court also arrayed UP Jal Nigam (Urban) as an opposite party through its Managing Director by the office and issued a notice to it.

Lastly, AAG Kuldeep Tripathi was requested to look into the matter and assist the Court on behalf of the State regarding the concerned departments and officials who have a role to play in it.