NGT imposes cost on bar association for withdrawing its plea

The plea alleged illegal sand mining in Haridwar

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the National Green Tribunal Bar Association (NGTBA) for withdrawing its plea alleging illegal sand mining in Haridwar and rebuked it for acting “irresponsibly”.

The bench also issued notices to chief secretaries of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Telangana and Arunachal Pradesh to ensure they are present on the next date of hearing.

A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar imposed the cost on the association after it filed an affidavit for withdrawal of its plea. “It is unfortunate that the applicant has acted so irresponsibly. At the first instance he files an application supported with photographs and affidavit showing illegal mining. Thereafter, he filed another application supported by an affidavit, for withdrawal of the main application.

“We are unable to appreciate this kind of course adopted by the applicant. It cost the applicant and every other counsel appearing for the parties time and effort. Be that as it may, MA (application) is permitted to be withdrawn, subject to payment of Rs 50,000 as cost to be paid within two weeks,” the bench said. Earlier, on July 9, the tribunal had issued notice to 24 people for allegedly carrying out illegal sand mining activities in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district after the Association showed photographs in this regard.