NCR Pollution: Allahabad HC Issues Contempt Notice To DMs Of Two UP Districts Over Failure To Shut Down Brick Kilns

The Allahabad High Court on Friday issued a contempt notice against the District Magistrates of two districts of Uttar Pradesh, Gautam Budh Nagar and Bulandshahr in relation to non-compliance with the Court's order to shut down all brick kilns in the NCR to control pollution.

The Bench of Justice Abdul Moin issued notice to Chandra Prakash Singh, District Magistrate Bulandshahr and Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, District Magistrate Gautam Budh Nagar over their failure to shut down all brick kilns in their respective districts.

Essentially, the Court was hearing the contempt plea filed by one Sohanveer who submitted before the Court that in its 2014 ruling in a PIL plea, the Allahabad High Court had given a general mandamus pertaining to running of brick kilns in violation of the Uttar Pradesh Brick Kilns (Siting Criteria for Establishment) Rules, 2012.

It was contended that subsequent thereto, another circular had been issued by the Central Pollution Control Board in October 2021, whereby it had been directed that all brick kilns would remain closed in Delhi National Capital Region on the directions of the National Green Tribunal.

Against this backdrop, it was contended before the Court that despite the applicant having informed the authorities about the operation of certain brick kilns in violation of the orders issued by the Central Pollution Control Board and a Division Bench of this Court, no heed had been paid upon the same and the said brick kilns are still operating.

In view of this, a notice has now been issued to the respondent/DMs to show cause as to why the proceedings for contempt of the Court be not initiated against them for non-compliance of the judgment and order of the Allahabad High Court (passed in May 2014) in Public Interest Litigation No. 20773 of 2014.

Matter was argued by Senior Advocate Anoop Trivedi assisted by Advocates Abhinav Gaur and Vibhu Rai.

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