Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 13 August 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Appellant – Dabur India Limited; Respondent – National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
- Nature of Proceeding: Civil Appeal No.4852/2024 under Section 22 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, challenging the NGT’s order dated 20 December 2023 which had set aside an earlier NBA order and remanded the matter.
- Background: The NGT found the NBA’s earlier order lacking reasons and directed a remand for reconsideration. Subsequently, the NBA issued a fresh order on 18 April 2024 rejecting Dabur’s claim.
- Counsel: Senior Counsel V Lakshmikumaran appeared for Dabur; Mr. Jayesh K. Unnikrishnan (AOR) and counsel team represented the NBA.
- Key Legal Points: NBA’s fresh order is amenable to challenge before the NGT under Section 16(j) of the NGT Act. Dabur sought liberty to file this fresh appeal; the Court considered whether to stay the impugned NGT order.
Final Outcome
- The Supreme Court grants Dabur liberty to file a fresh appeal before the NGT against the NBA order dated 18 April 2024, invoking Section 16(j) of the NGT Act.
- The appeal must be instituted within 30 days from the date of this order; the NGT will then decide the appeal on merits and limitation, without being influenced by observations in the earlier impugned order.
- All points and contentions on merits are kept open.
- The civil appeal is disposed of on these terms, and any pending applications are also dismissed.
Topics: Legal Procedure, Biodiversity Regulation