NGT HAS THE POWER TO TAKE SUO MOTU MATTERS BASED ON LETTER PETITIONS AND MEDIA REPORTS - SC

After hearing a batch of appeals, the Supreme Court bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar held that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has the power to take suo motu cognizance of matters based on letter petitions and media reports.

The bench held that it is important to have a flexible mechanism in addressing environmental damages and climate change for the well being of the nation. 

NGT was meant to address wide-ranging societal concerns and, therefore, the intention behind a statute should receive careful consideration. Further applying the tool of interpretation, the court observed that the provisions and rules designate wide discretionary powers for the tribunal to secure ends of justice. 

After referring to various Judgments passed by the Top Court, the bench concluded that the tribunal was conceived as a specialized forum to take over all the environment-related cases from HCs and the SC, not a substitute for Civil Court. The NGT decision has a socio-economic impact on the public at large. 

Author: Papiha Ghoshal