SC stays coercive action against Tata Chemicals over marine sanctuary environment case
The Supreme Court on Monday restrained authorities from taking coercive action against Tata Chemicals over alleged environmental damage and encroachment involving a marine sanctuary in the Gulf of Kutch.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice to the Gujarat government on the company's plea challenging a May 25 Gujarat High Court verdict.
The court sought the state government's response by November 2 and ordered, "Meanwhile, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioners."
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Tata Chemicals, said the case involved issues relating to environmental degradation and encroachment.
The Gujarat High Court had on May 25 dismissed the company's challenge to a 2006 order of the district collector rejecting its claim over land used for open channels that discharged wastewater into the sea from its Mithapur facility.
The high court had also found that the company had encroached upon government land forming part of the marine sanctuary.
It rejected Tata Chemicals' claim of pre-existing rights over the legacy open wastewater channels.
The high court had directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to appoint experts to assess the environmental impact caused to the area and determine appropriate remediation measures and compensation within three months.
The Supreme Court's order came on the company's challenge to these findings and directions.
