Compliance with local environmental regulations is essential for the operation of industrial units to protect public health.

JUDGMENT

The above Writ Petition (C) is filed with the following prayers:

"i) to issue a writ of mandamus or other writ or order directing respondents 1 to 3, to take appropriate action against the illegal construction and functioning of the peeling shed therein.

ii) to issue a writ of mandamus or other writ or order directing respondents 1 to 3 to take appropriate action against the illegal construction and functioning of the peeling shed therein, accumulation of waste and causing foul of its bad smell in the locality.

iii) to issue such other further reliefs as this Honourable Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of this case.

iv) To dispense with the English translation of vernacular documents.

v) Allow the writ petition with cost."

[SIC]

2. The petitioners are aggrieved because respondents 1 to 3 are not taking further action based on the stop memo issued against respondents 4 and 5 for the alleged illegal construction and the illegal conduct of peeling shed by them without obtaining any permit/license. It is submitted that respondents 4 and 5 are the neighbouring property owner of the petitioners. Respondents 4 and 5 constructed a building in their property and the said building is now being used by them as prawns peeling shed. It is submitted that the illegal functioning of the peeling shed therein and the accumulation of waste therein is causing foul smell as well as filth in the locality. The petitioners filed complaint before the 1^st and 2^nd respondents against the illegal construction and functioning of the peeling shed therein, accumulation of waste and foul smell in the locality, is the submission. It is further submitted that the Panchayat is not taking any action. The petitioners are also aggrieved because no further steps are taken after Ext.P3.

Hence, this Writ Petition is filed.

3. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Panchayat, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Pollution Control Board, the learned counsel appearing for the 5^th respondent and the learned Government Pleader. Even though notice was issued to the 4^th respondent, there is no appearance for the 4^th respondent.

4. When this Writ Petition came up for consideration before this Court on 30.01.2026, this Court passed the following order:

“The additional 6^th respondent will inspect the premises mentioned in the Writ Petition and submit a report before this court, whether there is any pollution, because of the peeling shed in the area.

The report shall be placed on record within a period of three weeks.

Post on 23.02.2026. ”

5. Now, a report is submitted by the Environmental Engineer, Pollution Control Board. It will be better to extract the relevant portion of the above report:

“2. In compliance with the interim order of this Hon’ble Court dated 30.01.2026, an Inspection was conducted on 13.02.2026 at the premises of the unit operated by the 4^th and 5^th respondents, located at Purakkad Grama Panchayath, Ambalappuzha Taluk, Alappuzha. At the time of inspection, 5^th Respondent along with the unit representatives were present. The unit was not operational, and the representatives informed that the activity carried out in the unit is peeling of prawns, which has not been functioning for the past few weeks. The findings of the inspection are submitted below:

a. The walls of the unit were only temporarily enclosed. No permanent walls were provided.

b. Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was not provided for treatment and disposal of the trade effluent from peeling. The E