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2025 Supreme(Online)(NGT) 1264
NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL NEW DELHI (PRINCIPAL BENCH)
Prakash Shrivastava, CJ, A. Senthil Vel, EM
Mahendra Singh – Appellant
Versus
State of Haryana – Respondent
Original Application No. 667/2018|Original Application No. 679/2018|Original Application No. 599/2019|Original Application No. 1385/2024
For the Appellants/Petitioners:Mr. Devesh Kumar Agnihotri|For the Respondents: Mr. Rahul Khurana, Mr. Vijay Chaudhary, Mr. Anju, Mr. Tarun Gupta, Mr. Hirday Virdi, Mr. Aman Bhalla, Mr. Saurabh Rajpal, Mr. Kapil Sagar, Mr. Somvir Singh Deswal, Mr. Abhishek Deswal, Ms. Pallavi Singh, Mr. Anuj Bhandari
The Tribunal reaffirmed the precautionary principle and the 'polluter pays' principle, mandating the closure of non-compliant stone crushers and imposing significant environmental compensation.
Headnote:(A) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 - Environmental pollution due to stone crushers; Allegations regarding non-compliance of environmental norms leading to air quality deterioration - Operations of multiple stone crushers found in violation of siting criteria and environmental regulations in Mahendragarh District - Orders for immediate closure of non-compliant units and assessment of environmental compensation were issued by the Tribunal. (Paras 1-9, 24)
(B) Precautionary Principle - The Tribunal reinforced the principle, emphasizing the need for sustainable development practices and the prioritization of public health above the operational rights of stone crushers, especially in areas exceeding pollution thresholds. (Paras 10-12)
(C) Polluter Pays Principle - The Tribunal mandated an interim environmental compensation of Rs. 20 Lakhs for identified stone crushers as a deterrent measure and restoration cost, directing the collection and enforcement by the State Authorities. (Paras 13-19, 26)
Facts of the case:
The original applications involved complaints against stone crushers in Mahendragarh for violations of environmental norms, resulting in deterioration of air quality, alongside a juxtaposition of community health concerns. The Tribunal acknowledged the reports from various joint committees, uncovering extensive violations and shortcomings from government agencies in ensuring adherence to environmental regulations.
Findings of Court:
A corroborative status report was filed confirming non-compliance by numerous units. The Tribunal mandated the closure of all environmentally hazardous stone crushing operations and compensation recovery efforts for pollution damages.
Issues: The court addressed violations of siting criteria, environmental compensation, and procedural legitimacy relating to stone crushers' operations amid severe air quality issues.
Ratio Decidendi: The court articulated the need for environmental protection and public health prioritization, affirming that statutory protections did not exempt stone crushers from compliance with environmental norms.
Result: The Tribunal issued orders for the closure of non-compliant units and the recovery of environmental compensation.
Item Nos. 04 to 07 Court No. 1 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI Original Application No. 667/2018 (IA NO 372/2023, IA NO 362/2023, IA NO 346/2023, IA NO 357/2023, IA NO 278/2023, IA NO 371/2023, IA NO 120/2023, IA NO 284/2023, IA NO 370/2023, IA NO 376/2023, IA NO 353/2023, IA NO 327/2023, IA NO 381/2023, IA NO 160/2024, IA NO 338/2023, IA NO 360/2023, IA NO 713/2023, IA NO 326/2023, IA NO 392/2023, IA NO 288/2023, IA NO 107/2023, IA NO 379/2023, IA NO 336/2023, IA NO 325/2023, IA NO 380/2023, IA NO 355/2023, IA NO 436/2023, IA NO 330/2023, IA NO 382/2023, IA NO 696/2023, IA NO 364/2023, IA NO 343/2023, IA NO 359/2023, IA NO 124/2023, IA NO 122/2023, IA NO 369/2023, IA NO 694/2023, IA NO 718/2023, IA NO 321/2023, IA NO 674/2023, IA NO 385/2023, IA NO 345/2023, IA NO 361/2023, IA NO 394/2023, IA NO 697/2023, IA NO 797/2023, IA NO 683/2023, IA NO 386/2023, IA NO 365/2023, IA NO 280/2023, IA NO 276/2023, IA NO 272/2023, IA NO 695/2023, IA NO 331/2023, IA NO 366/2023, IA NO 347/2023, IA NO 352/2023, IA NO 95/2023, IA NO 395/2023, IA NO 358/2023, IA NO 339/2023, IA NO 335/2023, IA NO 363/2023, IA NO 348/2023, IA NO 374/2023, IA NO 162/2024, IA NO 340/2023, IA NO 378/2023, IA NO 373/2023, IA NO 337/2023, IA NO 396/2023, IA NO 761/2023, IA NO 384/2023, IA NO 389/2023, IA NO 341/2023, IA NO 143/2025, IA NO 349/2023, IA NO 286/2023, IA NO 391/2023, IA NO 99/2023, IA NO 356/2023, IA NO 739/2023, IA NO 390/2023, IA NO 282/2023, IA NO 274/2023, IA NO 97/2023, IA NO 328/2023, IA NO 324/2023, IA No 350/2023, IA NO 329/2023, IA NO 333/2023, IA NO 342/2023, IA No 387/2023, IA NO 723/2023, IA NO 344/2023, IA NO 334/2023, IA No 383/2023, IA NO 367/2023, IA NO 351/2023, IA NO 388/2023, IA No 375/2023, IA NO 354/2023, IA NO 332/2023, IA NO 438/2023) Mahendra Singh Applicant Versus State of Haryana & Ors. Respondent(s)
WITH Original Application No. 679/2018 Tejpal Applicant Versus State of Haryana & Ors. Respondent(s)
WITH Original Application No. 599/2019 Bishamber Singh Applicant Versus State of Haryana & Ors. Respondent(s)
WITH Original Application No. 1385/2024 News item titled "living under a dust blanket" appearing in The Hindu dated 05.12.2024 Date of hearing: 03.07.2025 Date of Uploading: 21.07.2025 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER Applicant: Mr. Devesh Kumar Agnihotri, Adv. for Applicant in OA 679/2018 Respondents: Mr. Rahul Khurana, Adv. for R - 1 to 8 with Mr. Vijay Chaudhary, RO, HSPCB, Mahendergarh & Mr. Anju, AEE, HSPCB, Mahendergarh in OA
667/2018 & OA 679/2018 Mr. Rahul Khurana, Adv. for the State of Haryana & HSPCB with Mr.
Vijay Chaudhary, RO, HSPCB, Mahendergarh & Mr. Anju, AEE, HSPCB, Mahendergarh in OA 599/2019 Mr. Tarun Gupta & Mr. Hirday Virdi, Advs.
Mr. Aman Bhalla, Adv. for CPCB in OA 599/2019 (Through VC)
Mr. Saurabh Rajpal, Adv. for R - 33 in OA 667/2018 Mr. Kapil Sagar, Adv. in I.A No. 143/2025 Mr. Somvir Singh Deswal & Mr. Abhishek Deswal, Advs. in I.A No.
120/2023 Ms. Pallavi Singh, Adv.
Mr. Rahul Khurana, Adv. for R - 1 & 4 with Mr. Vijay Chaudhary, RO, HSPCB, Mahendergarh & Mr. Anju, AEE, HSPCB, Mahendergarh in OA
1385/2024 Mr. Anuj Bhandari, Adv. for CPCB in OA 1385/2024
ORDER
1. These original applications relate to violation of environmental norms under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 by the stone crushers operating in Mahendragarh District in Haryana. There is an allegation that the air quality in the area does not have the assimilative capacity to sustain them resulting in serious environmental harm and ill effect on public health.
2. In OA No. 667/2018, the allegation of the Applicant is as against the setting up of a stone crusher unit in Village Karota, Tehsil Narnaul, District Mahendragarh, Haryana by Respondents No. 9 and 10 in violation of the siting criteria in the range of Aravali hills and its plantation. The Applicant has also alle
