Research › Search › Judgment

Jharkhand High Court · body

2014 DIGILAW 607 (JHR)

Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand

2014-05-08

R.BANUMATHI, SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR

body2014
ORDER 1. Having read the daily Newspaper “the Pioneer” (English Edition), Ranchi Wednesday, May 7, 2014, it transpires that a major portion of Jubilee Lake, which is sprawling in approximately 20 acres, has dense growth of aquatic plants algae causing imminent threat to human life and life of fishes. Hundreds of fishes have died in the lake because of decreasing dissolved oxygen level. The hazardous effect of obnoxious growth of the weeds and increase in toxic pollutants in the lake are also the reasons for the death of fishes. It is due to failure of Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company Limited (in short JUSCO) which is a subsidiary of Tata Steel Company Limited and is looking after integrated town management with civic bodies. 2. A photograph in the news item clearly shows the death of large number of fishes. The District Fishery Officer also appears to have shown his anxiety that dense growth of weeds and water plants in the lake is a threat to aquatic life. The officials of JUSCO have also admitted that toxic and polluted water is the cause behind the death of the fishes. 3. The news item published in the daily newspaper reflects an issue of public importance with a far reaching consequences. Since this Court is under Constitutional obligation to express on the impact of health of people residing in adjoining area and environment, we have taken suo motu cognizance of the report published in the above news paper and accordingly it is directed to institute this matter as Public Interest Litigation, impleading inter alia the Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, Chairman as well as Managing Director of Jamshedpur Utilities, Services Company Ltd. and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, Ranchi as respondents . 4. On behalf of the State of Jharkhand and the Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur , Mr.Ajit Kumar, learned Additional Advocate General takes notice. 5. We have requested the Senior Counsel- Mr.M.S.Mittal, appearing along with the instructing counsel-Ms Shilpa John to take notice notice on behalf of respondent nos.3 and 4 (JUSCO). The 5th respondent is represented by the Senior Counsel-Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha appearing along with the instructing counsel Mr.A.K.Pandey. 6. 5. We have requested the Senior Counsel- Mr.M.S.Mittal, appearing along with the instructing counsel-Ms Shilpa John to take notice notice on behalf of respondent nos.3 and 4 (JUSCO). The 5th respondent is represented by the Senior Counsel-Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha appearing along with the instructing counsel Mr.A.K.Pandey. 6. We direct respondent nos.2 to 5 to take immediate steps to 3.clean the Jubilee Lake and take steps to save the fishes and aquatic life and also to take appropriate measures to prevent growth of obnoxious weeds in the Jubilee Lake in future. 7. Respondent nos.2 to 5 shall file their report with respect to the steps taken in this regard. 8. The matter be listed on 15th May, 2014. 9. Issue a copy of the newspaper clipping and also the order of this Court to the counsel for the parties.