Environment- related offences/ crime: India
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Court judgements
2018: SC fines realtor ₹105cr for damaging environment
AmitAnand Choudhary, August 11, 2018: The Times of India
The Supreme Court came down heavily on Pune-based real estate company Goel Ganga Developers for causing environmental damage while building residential towers in violation of law and slapped a fine of Rs 105 crore but refused to order demolition of the buildings as possession of flats had already been given to home-buyers.
A bench of justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta granted the company six months’ time to deposit the
money before its registry and said all the assets of the company as well as its directors shall be attached if it failed to comply with its order.
The court said the construction done by the company was in violation of environment clearance given to the project and it had also expanded the built-up areas without permission. The company had built 738 flats and 115 shops on Sinhagad Road in Pune.
The court upheld the National Green Tribunal order which had concluded that the developer had violated law and slapped the fine. It said the company shall not be allowed to build the two buildings in which it was to construct 454 flats and directed it to return the money with interest at the rate of 9% per annum to buyers.
Prosecute officials who fail to punish polluters: SC
May Be Jailed Up To 5 Years And Also Fined
Government officials who fail to take action against polluters could soon face jail as the Supreme Court asked the Central Pollution Control Board to take steps to prosecute those responsible for lapses.
A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said erring officials should be brought to book for conniving with the culprits. It said such officials and government agencies should be prosecuted under Section 15 of Environment Protection Act which provides for punishment up to five years in jail.
The court’s directions came after CPCB sought the order so as to empower the board. The section says failure to comply with or contravention of provisions of the Act, or the rules framed under the law, would be liable for punishment by way of imprisonment or a fine of up Rs 1 lakh or both.
The Act says continued offences would lead to additional fine that may extend to Rs 5,000 for every day after the conviction for the first such failure or contravention of rules.
CPCB said it had already sent show cause notices to some government agencies.
The killing of environment- defenders
2014-17, in India and the world
From: May 16, 2018: The Times of India
See graphic :
The killing of environment- defenders in India and the world, 2014-17
