National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Blast At Firecracker ... vs . Ankita Sinha &Ors." on 24 April, 2024
Item No. 05 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 391/2024
News item titled "Blast at firecracker factory in UP's Kaushambi kills
seven" appearing in The Hindu dated 26.02.2024
Date of hearing: 24.04.2024
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Respondent: Mr. Amit Shukla, Adv. for UPPCB (Through VC)
Mr. Rajkumar, Mr. Ankit Chaudhary, Mr. Sumit Chaudhary, Ms. Neetu
Singh, Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Ms. Vandana Sachdeva & Ms. Anamika
Singh, Advs. for CPCB (Through VC)
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo moto on the basis of the news item titled "Blast at firecracker factory in UP's Kaushambi kills seven" appearing in Hindu dated 26.02.2024.
2. News item relates to an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh claiming lives of seven persons and leading to injury of several others. Blast took place at Maheva Village, Kaushambi District in a firecracker factory.
3. As per the news item, all the four deceased persons have been identified and atleast 10 fire tenders were deployed to diffuse the fire. News item does not disclose if any compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased person or to the injured persons. 1
4. Learned Counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on advanced notice has submitted that as per the instructions received by him, unit was operating without any consent.
5. Original Application raises a substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.
6. Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha &Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
7. Hence, we implead the following as respondents:-
(i) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through its Member Secretary;
(ii) Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) through its Secretary;
(iii) District Magistrate, Kaushambi.
8. Project Proponent i.e. Fire Cracker Unit and its owner are also required to be impeaded as respondents in this original application but their details are not available. Hence, Counsel for UPPCB is directed to furnish the details of project proponent along with its report and also inform PP about pendency of this original application.
9. Respondent nos. 1 and 2 are represented today.
10. Let notice be issued to respondent no.3 for filing the response at least one week before the next date of hearing.
11. List on 02.08.2024.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP 2 Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM April 24, 2024 Original Application No. 391/2024 JG.
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