SC transfers Yamuna pollution PIL to NGT

The Supreme Court on Monday transferred to the National Green Tribunal the over two decade old PIL relating to ever-increasing pollution of river Yamuna.

Saying that there could not be two parallel jurisdictions dealing with the same issue, the bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud said: "We are of the view it is not appropriate for two parallel jurisdictions to look into the matter."

Transferring the PIL, the bench in its order said that in the event, the NGT finds some legal hurdles, it can move the top court and same would be processed by its registry and listed before the court.

It said that Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar would act as an amicus curiae in the matter.

Chief Justice Khehar said: "It has gone for 23 years. Hugh money has been spent, nothing has happened. Something has to be changed to get it moving."

The transfer of the matter came as the Solicitor General told the bench that the NGT too was hearing the same matter and there should not be parallel hearing.

Urging the court for an audit of the money spent on cleaning River Yamuna, he said that huge amounts have been spent with contributions from the Central, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh governments.

--IANS

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