Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction
Order Date: 14 August 2026
Case Overview
- Appeals filed: Civil Appeal Nos. 8374‑8375/2026 (Global Stone Crusher) and Civil Appeal No. 8376/2026 (Rajeev Kumar Sharma) against State of Rajasthan & others.
- The appeals challenge the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central Zone, Bhopal order dated 04‑08‑2025 and the subsequent review order dated 07‑01‑2026, which had allowed Original Application No.30/2025 (CZ) against Global Stone Crusher without the appellant being impleaded.
- The NGT inspection committee visited the appellant’s premises after the appellant learned of the OA; the appellant could not effectively defend before the Tribunal, leading to the OA being allowed and a review petition being dismissed.
- The Supreme Court, after hearing counsel, directed that in the interest of justice the appellant be given one opportunity to file a digitally signed written statement/counter‑affidavit/plea of defence, followed by an adequate hearing for both sides before the Tribunal.
- For Rajeev Kumar Sharma, the Court similarly allowed him to join the Tribunal proceedings by filing a written statement/counter‑affidavit and directed the Tribunal to rehear the Original Application afresh after hearing all parties.
- The Court expressly stated that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
- The signed orders were placed on file, and any pending applications, if any, shall stand closed.
- The Tribunal has been instructed to pass appropriate orders after hearing the parties.
Final Outcome
- The Supreme Court set aside the NGT order dated 04‑08‑2025 and the review order dated 07‑01‑2026.
- It granted Global Stone Crusher and Rajeev Kumar Sharma the right to file defence documents and to be heard before the Tribunal.
- No substantive merits were decided; the matter is to be re‑examined by the Tribunal.
- Pending applications are closed.
Topics: Environmental Regulation, Mining