National Green Tribunal
Indrajeet vs State Of Haryana & Ors on 1 September, 2025
Item No. 01 Court No. 2
BEFORE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 411/2025
Indrajeet Applicant
Versus
State of Haryana & Ors. Respondents
Date of hearing:01.09.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant: None for the applicant.
ORDER
1. Mr. Indrajeet has sent the present letter petition to this Tribunal, which has been treated and registered as O.A. No. 411/2025.
2. The relevant part of the letter petition enumerating grievances of the applicant is reproduced as follows:-
"Subject: - Complaint letter regarding Panipat Refinery, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which has a unit of 2G Ethanol Plant of the refinery, by which every day through drain and two large iron pipes chemical-laden water is being released into Drain No. 2. Sir, It is my humble request that I am Indrajit son of Shri Jile Singh, resident of village Dadlana, district Panipat, Haryana. Sir, there is a unit of 2G ethanol plant of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Panipat Refinery, of which all the dirty chemical-laden disposal water of 2G ethanol plant is being deliberately released through a drain and two big iron pipes every day in Drain No. 2. It is being openly poured into Drain No. 2 by making a drain along the wall of the plant. In this, 1 chemical-laden water is also being released in Drain No. 2 by installing two underground big iron pipes.
Sir, the canal department releases surplus water from time to time in this drain no. 2 which is consumed by cows, buffaloes and other animals. The helpless animals quench their thirst with water during the summer season. If any lactating buffalo or cow drinks this chemical-laden water, then that animal can even die. Sir, water containing chemicals can also enter the human body through animal milk. Due to which dangerous chemicals will enter the body of the new generation children. Due to long term exposure to these, children will develop congenital diseases, cancer, lungs and breathing related dangerous diseases. Due to which people will remain ill every day.
Sir, the DGM of the civil department of Panipat Refinery everyday releases dirty water containing chemicals into the drain with the intention of killing people, due to which there is a danger of human and animal loss.
Sir, the water of Drain No.2 goes directly into the Yamuna river. The villagers living around Sanoli have been demanding the government to build a Triveni Ghat on the Yamuna river for a long time. If the refinery administration continues to act arbitrarily, it will be a direct blow to the religious faith of the people.
(1) Sir, attached are the photographs of 2G plant and photocopies of chemical-laden water and drain.
Sir, you are requested to please take appropriate action on the above mentioned subject and ban this 2G plant."
3. Prima facie the averments made in the application raise substantial questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
4. In view of the averments in the application, we consider it appropriate to have response of (1) State of Haryana through Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Wild Life Department, Government of Haryana, (2) District Magistrate, Panipat (3) Haryana State Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary (4) Project Proponent- Panipat Refinery, IOCL, through its DGM who stand impleaded as respondents No. 1 to 4. The Registry is directed to prepare and attach 2 memo of parties to the application and issue notices to respondents No. 1 to 4 requiring them to file their reply/response within two months.
5. In view of the averments made in the application, we also consider it appropriate that a Joint Committee be constituted to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action. Accordingly, we constitute a Joint Committee comprising of representatives of CPCB, HSPCB and DM, Panipat and direct the same to meet within two weeks, undertake visits to the site, look into the grievances of the applicant, associate the applicant and representative of the concerned project proponent, verify the factual position and suggest appropriate remedial action. The HSPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.
6. Report of the Joint Committee may be filed within one month.
7. List on 06.10.2025 for further consideration.
8. A copy of this order may be sent to Member Secretary, CPCB, Member Secretary, HSPCB and District Magistrate, Panipat by email for requisite compliance.
Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM September 01st, 2025 Original Application No. 411/2025 M 3