Kanahi Ram Patel vs Union Of India on 17 April, 2026
However, the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal (NGT),
vide Judgment dated 15.01.2024 in Appeal No.26 of 2022 (Kanhai Ram
Patel & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors.), quashed the EC and directed the
answering respondent to "re-examine the matter from the stage of
conducting public consultation afresh. If additional appropriate study
material is submitted by the project proponent, the same may be
appraised, and a fresh decision on the prior EC may be taken by the
MoEF&CC in accordance with the law and the existing state of
environment and ecology. That in compliance with the NGT's Judgment
dated 15.01.2024, the answering respondent, vide letter dated
19.02.2024, directed the project proponent and the State Pollution Control
Board (SPCB) to comply with the said Judgment. This demonstrates the
clear intention of the answering respondent to adhere to the directives of
the Hon'ble NGT. The Appellants' allegations that the Respondent
disregarded the Tribunal's directions are baseless and frivolous and that
pursuant to the NGT's directives, the Project Proponent (MAHAGENCO),
vide letter dated 24.02.2024, requested the Expert Appraisal Committee
(EAC) - Coal Mining to consider their proposal in the upcoming EAC
meeting. The letter highlighted the following key points:-