By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 24: To ensure a coordinated legal response to the environmental concerns surrounding the Myntdu river, the High Court of Meghalaya has directed that two parallel proceedings concerning Myntdu pollution cannot continue simultaneously. The court has asked the petitioner, Khroo L Pariat, to file an affidavit by April 4, explaining the situation.
The case, originally initiated as a public interest litigation (PIL) by the High Court based on a complaint dated June 25, 2024, is also being heard by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi.
The NGT, by an order dated November 21, 2024, had constituted a joint committee to investigate the issue and submit a report within two months. However, the High Court noted that its own previous orders, including one dated October 29, 2024, directing a joint inspection, and another on November 19, 2024, ordering action based on the inspection report, were not placed before the NGT.
During Monday’s hearing, Amicus Curiae P Yobin informed the court that the NGT’s joint committee had already conducted an inspection and submitted a report. The court took note of this and ruled that two separate legal proceedings on the same matter cannot proceed simultaneously.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for April 17, 2025, and directed that the ongoing application before the NGT’s Principal Bench should not be transferred to the Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata. Additionally, the court has ordered the Registrar General to forward a copy of its ruling to the NGT’s Principal Bench in New Delhi.