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The Unending Cycle of Smoke and Inaction Despite years of judicial intervention and environmental alarm, Punjab’s farm fire problem remains unresolved . Between 2022 and 2024 , nearly 7,000 FIRs were filed against farmers for paddy stubble burning , a practice that contributes significantly to North India’s toxic air every winter. Yet, most of these cases have not resulted in chargesheets, convictions, or substantial penalties . The data reveals that Punjab registered 5,783 FIRs in 2024 , compared to 1,144 in 2023 and just 44 in 2022 . However, police and prosecution records show that these cases are either pending, withdrawn, or closed after nominal fines ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000 — a symbolic rather than substantive enforcement.

Background of the Case The Union government has informed the Supreme Court of India that it cannot investigate corruption and nepotism allegations against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu , as the matter pertains to state jurisdiction. The Centre clarified that issues concerning the Code of Conduct for Ministers and public procurement rules fall within the state government’s domain , not the Centre’s. The statement came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two non-profit organisations — Save Mon Region Foundation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena — seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the award of public contracts to firms linked to Khandu’s family members. The Petition and Allegations The petitioners accused Chief Minister Pema Khandu , his father’s second wife Rinchin Drema , and his nephew Tsering Tashi of benefitting from public contracts awarded by the Arunachal government. They alleged that such actions violated: The Code of ...

1. Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, has severely criticised the Maharashtra Government for its poor record in carrying out compensatory afforestation in the Aarey region. The issue came up during the hearing of an application filed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) seeking permission to cut trees for the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, a tunnel connecting Filmcity in Goregaon with Khindipada in Mulund. An inspection report presented by Anitta Patil , Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) , revealed that out of 20,460 saplings planted as compensatory afforestation, only 50% survived . Most surviving trees were poorly maintained, with stunted growth, low height, and little ecological recovery due to lack of maintenance, poor soil conditions, water scarcity, and grazing . 2. Supreme Court’s Observations The bench comprising CJI Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran expres...

The Bombay High Court has issued a significant environmental directive, ordering six district administrations in the Konkan region — Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Sindhudurg — to transfer 10,000 hectares of mangrove land to the Maharashtra Forest Department within two months . The order, passed by a division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil , came in response to a contempt petition filed by the Mumbai-based NGO Vanshakti in 2018 . The case underscores the persistent failure of local administrations to implement earlier court orders aimed at protecting the state’s vital mangrove ecosystems. Background of the Case The petition by Vanshakti , an environmental NGO, was filed after the state failed to comply with the Bombay High Court’s 2018 directions mandating the transfer of mangrove lands to the forest department’s mangrove cell for protection. According to Vanshakti, although 4,000 hectares of mangrove land ...

In a significant development ahead of the Diwali festival, the Supreme Court of India indicated that it may temporarily lift the absolute ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for five days. The move marks a potential shift in the Court’s stance on the issue, which has been at the center of debates over environmental protection, public health, and cultural practices. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran reserved its order on Friday, stating that it will decide soon on relaxing the restrictions that have been in place for several years due to concerns over air pollution. Background: The Ban and Its Implications The ban on the use and sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR has been a recurring measure during Diwali, primarily due to the severe air quality deterioration that occurs around this period. The situation is often exacerbated by stubble burning in neighboring states such as Punjab and Haryana, as well as stagnant weather conditions that trap ...

 In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has held that artificial lakes or man-made waterbodies do not enjoy statutory protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 , but emphasized that governments must safeguard them under the Doctrine of Public Trust to promote ecological balance and sustainable development. The Futala Lake Case: Background The verdict came in connection with Futala Lake (Telangkhedi Tank) in Nagpur , a historical waterbody built in 1799 by the ruler of Nagpur to serve irrigation needs. The lake spans a catchment area of approximately 200 hectares and has long been a prominent urban landmark. A non-profit organization, Swacch Association Nagpur , had approached the Supreme Court challenging construction activities around the lake—such as the creation of a plaza, floating restaurant, musical fountain, and viewers’ gallery —arguing that these developments violated the Wetlands Rules, 2017 . The Bombay High Court’s N...

The Allahabad High Court has issued a directive for status quo to be maintained on a fresh dispute over alleged illegal constructions on the Yamuna floodplain in Noida. The court’s decision, issued on August 26 and uploaded on August 31, 2025 , consolidates ongoing legal scrutiny of environmental violations in the ecologically sensitive region. Background: Petition by 30 Farmhouse Owners The court order came in response to a petition filed by 30 farmhouse owners challenging demolition notices issued by the Noida Authority . The petitioners alleged selective targeting of certain properties, claiming that their farmhouses: Are five kilometres away from the riverbank Lie outside the High Flood Level (HFL) zone Are temporary in nature Do not obstruct the natural flow of the Yamuna River The petitioners also challenged the Noida Authority’s demarcation of the floodplain, carried out under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 201...

Section 163-A of HP Land Revenue Act Struck Down In a landmark decision, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has declared Section 163-A of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act as unconstitutional , citing it as violative of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution . This section, introduced in 2002 , aimed to regularise encroachments on government and forest lands across the state. The ruling was issued in a Civil Writ Petition that had been pending for over two decades and was reserved for judgment since May 2025 . The bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Bipin Chander Negi held that the provision was arbitrary , discriminatory , and ultra vires the Constitution.

Supreme Court Issues Notice to Centre and FSSAI on Overuse of Pesticides in Food The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding a plea raising concerns about the overuse of pesticides and other chemical insecticides in food crops and food items. This significant move comes as the country grapples with increasing health issues linked to the consumption of pesticide-laden foods. Bench and Ministries Involved A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notices to several key ministries: - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Ministry of Agriculture - FSSAI The Petition and Its Claims The petition, filed by environmentalist and lawyer Akash Vashishtha, highlights the alarming health risks associated with the widespread use of pesticides and chemical insecticides on food crops. Vas...