Disposed

Dhiraj Kumar Jha vs

NGT1 Apr 2026Original Application No. 174/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal treated a public grievance as an original application regarding air pollution by a jute mill. The bench exercised suo moto jurisdiction but held that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Eastern Zone Bench at Kolkata and listed it there for hearing.

What did the court decide?

Matter listed before the Eastern Zone Bench of the Tribunal at Kolkata on 22.04.2026.

Dhiraj Kumar Jha vs — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2026)

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Item No. 02

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Court No. 2

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BEFORE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 174/2026

Dhiraj Kumar Jha

Applicant

Versus

State of West Bengal Ors. Respondents

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Date of hearing: 01.04.2026

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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A pplicant: Applicant-Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Jha through V.C.

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ORDER

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Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Jha has sent the present complaint dated 19.10.2025 on Public Grievances Portal of this Tribunal, which has been treated and registered as O.A. No. 174/2026 for exercise of suo moto jurisdiction in view of law laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha, (2022) 13 SCC 401.

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The Applicant has raised grievances regarding burning of waste and severe air pollution caused by M/s Hukuchand Jute Mill, Barakpore, District North 24 Pargana. The relevant part of the O.A. enumerating grievances of the applicant is reproduced as follows:-

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xxx…………………….………………..xxx…………………………………xxx

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Subject: Urgent complaint regarding burning of waste and severe air pollution caused by Hukuchand Jute Mill management, Halisahar area

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Sir/Madam,

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With due respect, I, Dhiraj Kumar Jha, General Secretary of Jute Shramik Union, would like to bring to your kind notice that serious environmental pollution and inhumane working conditions prevail at Hukuchand Jute Mill, Barrackpore, particularly in the Halisahar Labour Lines area.

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Earlier, I had submitted a complaint to the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) regarding the same. However, the Board, vide Memo No. 1407 dated 15.10.2025, has informed me that the matter does not fall under their jurisdiction (copy enclosed for reference). Unfortunately, despite repeated complaints, the situation has worsened. Today, on 19th October 2025 at around 1:00 PM, the mill management or its contractors have burnt a large quantity of industrial and domestic waste near the mill premises (Location: WCC6+P75, Bischpur, Halisahar, Kanchrapara, West Bengal 743135). This act has caused dense smoke and toxic fumes, severely polluting the surrounding air and making it difficult for workers and local residents to breathe.

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This reckless burning of waste is not only a clear violation of environmental norms under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, but also endangers public health and the ecosystem.

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I, therefore, urge your good office to take immediate cognizance, initiate an urgent inquiry, and direct the concerned authorities to take strict action against the responsible management of Hukuchand Jute Mill for such repeated violations.”

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The Applicant has appeared before this Tribunal today through V.C. and seeks time to file copies of relevant documents in support of the averments made in the O.A.

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Even though the present case has been listed before this Bench by registering original application on the basis of complaint made by the Applicant with approval and under order of Hon’ble Chairperson, but in view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual of cause of action lies within jurisdiction of the Eastern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Kolkata, we are of the considered view that

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it will be appropriate if the case is heard by the Eastern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Kolkata.

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Accordingly, the Registry is directed to list the matter before the Eastern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Kolkata on 22.04.2026 after obtaining orders from Hon’ble the Chairperson for transfer of the case, if so required.

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The Applicant is directed to join the proceedings physically or through V.C. and to produce the material available with him on the date fixed before the Eastern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Kolkata.

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Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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April 01^st , 2026 Original Application No. 174/2026 AB

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Dhiraj Kumar Jha vs

Case brief

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Dhiraj Kumar Jha vs

Case brief

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