Court asks Rajasthan Government how a hidden pipeline allegedly releasing untreated industrial waste operated for years; SIT probe ordered, CBI investigation put on hold.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has come down heavily on Rajasthan authorities after a court-appointed committee discovered a suspected 4-kilometre-long concealed pipeline allegedly discharging untreated industrial effluents into the Jojari River near Jodhpur.
Hearing the matter, a Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta questioned how such a large underground discharge system could exist without the knowledge of industries, CETP operators and regulatory authorities responsible for monitoring pollution in the region.
The Court also sought answers from the Rajasthan Government and the Pollution Control Board, asking what local officials had been doing despite continuous monitoring of the river system.
Expressing concern over the state of the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river network, the Bench observed that years of judicial intervention and environmental monitoring appeared to have failed in preventing serious pollution.
Appearing for the State, Rajasthan Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma informed the Court that strict action had already been initiated after the illegal discharge came to light during the committee’s inspection on May 27.
Sharma informed that a special team from Jaipur was immediately sent to Jodhpur, two Pollution Control Board officials were suspended, senior officers were transferred, criminal proceedings were initiated and environmental compensation proceedings were started.
He further informed the Court that all 306 textile units connected to the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Jodhpur, along with the CETP itself, had been shut down pending investigation and corrective measures.
Sharma also assured the Bench that an FIR would be registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a senior IPS officer would investigate the entire episode, including the role of industries, CETP management and government officials. He submitted that a CBI probe was not necessary at this stage as the SIT would independently examine the matter.
During the hearing, Justice Sandeep Mehta remarked that it was deeply disturbing to witness such environmental degradation in Rajasthan despite years of monitoring and court supervision.
The Court stressed that accountability must be fixed at every level and that every individual involved in the alleged illegal discharge—from the lowest-ranking official to senior authorities—must be identified and proceeded against.
While noting that it had earlier considered ordering a CBI investigation, the Supreme Court recorded the assurances given by the State Government and indicated that, presently, such a step is unnecessary.
The Court also took note of committee reports highlighting extensive contamination of the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system and warning of the urgent need to remove toxic sludge before the monsoon. The committee has warned that any delay could result in pollutants spreading further into agricultural land, groundwater sources and surrounding ecosystems.
The matter remains under the Supreme Court’s continuous monitoring, with further directions expected in the coming hearings.