Supreme Court refers suo motu Jojari River contamination case to CJI for unified hearing on Rajasthan’s environmental pollution.
Case in NewsSupreme court on suo motu Jojari River contamination case placed before CJI BR Gavai for clubbed hearing . |
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Case Overview
Case Name: In Re: 2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan, SMW(C) No. 8/2025
The Supreme Court of India has referred the suo motu Jojari River contamination case to Chief Justice BR Gavai for appropriate orders . The bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted on October 9, 2025 that common environmental issues were involved in the pending statutory appeals and the suo motu proceedings .
The issue stems from large-scale discharge of industrial waste into Rajasthan’s Jojari River, rendering water unfit for human consumption and endangering thousands of residents . The case gained attention after a YouTube documentary titled “2 Million Lives at Risk | India’s Deadliest River | Marudhara | Jojari | Rajasthan” exposed the environmental disaster .
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Key Aspects
The matter concerns severe industrial pollution in Rajasthan’s water bodies and ineffective implementation of environmental laws .
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had transferred earlier petitions and identified contamination in Rivers Luni, Bandi and Jojari .
- The NGT directed Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) to ensure no untreated effluent enters the rivers .
- RIICO and local authorities were ordered to pay ₹2 crores each as environmental compensation .
- A monitoring committee comprising RSPCB, district magistrates and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was formed to supervise compliance .
Legal Insights
Environmental accountability in this case is governed by core environmental and constitutional provisions :
- Article 21, Constitution of India – Ensures the Right to Life, which includes the right to a clean environment .
- Section 20, National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 – Mandates application of the Polluter Pays Principle and Precautionary Principle .
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 – Prohibits discharge of pollutants into water bodies without consent .
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Sections 3 & 5 – Empowers the Central Government to issue directions for preventing environmental harm .
Court’s Verdict
The Supreme Court bench led by Justice Nath referred the matter to CJI BR Gavai for consolidation with related appeals to ensure uniform adjudication . The Court emphasized the need for stronger environmental oversight, regular monitoring and strict enforcement of pollution control measures in Rajasthan . The suo motu proceedings continue under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India to safeguard public health and environmental integrity .
Source – Supreme Court of India
Read also – Constitution of India
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