Telangana High Court refuses to entertain PIL on Godavari pollution
The Telangana High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning severe pollution in the Godavari river, and directed the petitioner to invoke the jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin, was dealing with the PIL, which relied on a report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti National River Conservation Directorate, which highlighted that not only urban waste but also industrial waste is being drained into the river. The court stated that NGT, “having a Pan-Nation jurisdiction, would be able to address these issues covering several states through which the famous Godavari river flows.” Story continues below this ad The petitioner Aakula Sampath Kumar, a law student, submitted that this severe pollution has reportedly affected the aquatic life and is contaminating waters used for drinking and other purposes downstream, affecting millions of people and “posing a serious threat to public health and environmental safety.” The bench further observed that the report relied upon by the petitioner referred to …


