Paridhi Arya
Published on: April 6, 2022 at 12:28 IST
In a petition filed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association for moving the Zonal Bench of National Green Tribunal from Bhopal to Jabalpur Supreme Court reserved its Judgment during the proceeding on Monday.
Two Judge Bench of Supreme Court comprising of Justice KM Joseph and Justice Hrishikesh Roy had pointed out that the Union Government should establishes more National Green Tribunal as it will reduce the burden of tribunal and justice can be served to more people.
The petitioner raised the objection that according to courts direction in case of Sampat vs Union of India Zonal Bench should be set up where the principal Bench of High Court is working but in Madhya Pradesh Principal Bench is in Jabalpur while National Green Tribunal was in Bhopal.
Petitioner has alleged that Union is using arbitrary power in setting up of tribunals Bench the process does not even holds a provision of consultation with Chief Justice of High Court and its result is that people has to go in limited Tribunal which in return have to incurred travelling cost and time.
“If you have one bench each in every state, more people will be induced to take up the causes of protecting the environment. If these tribunals are closer to the doorstep of the citizens and access to justice is made available, they will be enthusiastic to help environmental causes. Why make them travel hundreds of kilometres for a cause which ultimately helps everyone?” asked by the bench from Venugoppal
The bench has explained that the reason to establish such tribunal with quasi judicial power is that people should not roam to get justice but the system is creating hindrance in this objective.
The another point highlighted by the bench is that by making Supreme Court as an exclusive appellate authority for the cases of tribunal the parliament has increased the burden on court.
In the reply Venugaoppal asserted that it because tribunal is specialized body which make it in equal footing with High Court.
Also Read- Landmark judgements by National Green Tribunal
