Disposed

Mantu Soni @Shani Kant vs

NGT8 May 2025Original Application No. 206/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal registered an application alleging violations of environmental clearance conditions (conveyor belt vs. road transport) for a coal project in Jharkhand. The bench held that the issue involves compliance of environmental norms and was registered suo-motu. The matter was transferred from the Principal Bench to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata, for appropriate further actio

What did the court decide?

Case registered suo-motu and transferred to Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata; notice issued to respondents; listing fixed.

Mantu Soni @Shani Kant vs — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2025)

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Item No. 01

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Court No. 1

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 206/2025

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Mantu Soni Applicant

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Versus

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State of Jharkhand Respondent

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Date of hearing: 08.05.2025

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER HON’BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER

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Applicant: Mr. Navendu Kumar, Advocate (Through VC)

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ORDER

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This OA has been registered on the basis of a letter petition sent by one Mr. Mantu Soni, resident of Village and Post – Barkagaon, District Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

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The applicant in the said letter petition has raised the issue of illegal diversion of 1026.438 ha of forest land for Coal mining from Pakri Burwadih Project in favour of the NTPC in Hazaribagh, West Forest Division, Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand. The applicant alleges that the forest clearance was granted by Government of India to NTPC Pankri Barwadih Coal Project in village Badkagaon District, Hazaribagh of Jharkhand imposing the condition number 9, wherein, NTPC was allowed to transport coal from the Conveyer System Banadag Railway Siding to prevent the obstruction in the movement of wildlife, especially Elephants. The applicant alleges that the said condition is being violated by transporting coal by road passing through the forest to Banadag Railway siding, whereas, as per the condition Conveyor belt was to be used for coal transportation. The applicant alleges that the movement by road is causing damage to the environment and wildlife, threat of life due to the accident

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and damage to property, life and agriculture due to wildlife interference to human settlement. Further allegation of the applicant is that though, the violation is taking place but the authorities have not taken any action.

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The letter petition raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms; hence, it is registered in suo-motu exercise of power.

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The Following respondents are impleaded in the OA:-

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(i) Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board

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(ii) RO, MoEF & CC, Ranchi

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(iii) PCCF, Jharkhand

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(iv) NTPC Pankri Barwadih Coal Project, through the administrative in-charge, village Badkagaon District, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand

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(v) District Magistrate, Hazaribagh

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(vi) Chief Wildlife Warden, Jharkhand

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Let notice be issued to the above respondents for filing their response by way of affidavit before the Eastern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal.

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Since the matter relates to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata, therefore, OA is transferred to the Eastern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action. The office is directed to transfer the original record of the OA to Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata.

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List before Eastern Zonal Bench at Kolkata on 17.07.2025.

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Prakash Shrivastava, CP

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM May 08, 2025 Original Application No. 206/2025 AS..

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Mantu Soni @Shani Kant vs

Case brief

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Mantu Soni @Shani Kant vs

Case brief

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