Mahesh Chandra Saxena vs State of Uttar Pradesh
Summary
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) heard arguments regarding compliance with previous orders on illegal groundwater drawal and compensation assessment. The NGT is reviewing the UP State PCB's actions and has directed the formation of a committee to conduct water audits and assess compensation for violations.
What changed
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is reviewing compliance with its prior orders concerning illegal groundwater drawal and the assessment of compensation by the UP State Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). Specifically, the Tribunal is examining the UPPCB's failure to assess and recover compensation as per established norms, emphasizing the need for realistic water quantity assessment and conducting water audits. A committee, including representatives from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and IIT Delhi, has been tasked with assessing compensation and water quality aspects of rainwater harvesting systems.
Compliance officers should note the Tribunal's emphasis on realistic assessment and the potential for adverse inferences due to the absence of water meters. The UPPCB and other respondents are required to file replies and comply with the directions for water audits and compensation assessment. The previous interim order dated 19.06.2020, which detailed these directions, remains a key point of focus, with a deadline for the committee's report to be submitted within four months of that order.
What to do next
- Ensure UP State PCB complies with directions for water audits and compensation assessment.
- Review interim order dated 19.06.2020 for specific compliance requirements.
- File necessary replies and responses as directed by the Tribunal.
Penalties
Compensation for illegal drawal of ground water to be assessed and recovered.
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Mahesh Chandra Saxena vs State Of Uttar Pradesh on 25 March, 2026
Item Nos. 08-09 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 1046/2019
Mahesh Chandra Saxena Applicant
Versus
State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. Respondent(s)
With
Original Application No. 25/2020
Vikrant Tongad Applicant
Versus
Union of India & Ors. Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 25.03.2026
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant: Mr. Rahul Choudhary, Adv. for Applicant in OA 25/2020
Respondents: Mr. Pradeep Misra & Mr. Daleep Dhyani, Advs. for UPPCB (Through VC)
Mr. Srinivas Vishven, Adv. for CPC B
Mr. Rachit Mittal, Adv. for Noida Authority (Through VC)
Mr. Arvind Chaudhary & Mr. Ankit Chaudhary, Advs. for R - 4
Mr. Utkarsh Sharma, Adv. for R - 5 in OA 1046/2019 (Through VC)
Mr. Gigi. C. George & Ms. Neha Sharma, Advs. for CGWA
ORDER 1. Learned counsel appearing for the Respondent No. 3 submits that
reply dated 23.03.2026 has been filed in OA No. 25/2020. He seeks three
days' time to file the reply in the connected OA No. 1046/2029.
- Learned counsel for the Applicant has also submitted that the
paragraph 6 of the interim order of the Tribunal dated 19.06.2020 is
required to be complied with. In paragraph 6 of that order the Tribunal had
issued following directions:-
"6. The UP State PCB has failed to assess and recover compensation
for illegal drawal of ground water as per norms referred to in above
order dated 21.9.2019. The assessment of quantity of water drawn
needs to be made realistically and adverse inference has to be drawn
for absence of water meter instead of accepting ipsi dixit of an
interested law violator. Water audit may be conducted to ascertain the
extent of use and replenishment of ground water in the last three
years by the same Committee with an additional representative of
CPC B and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi ("IIT Delhi"). The
Committee may also assess compensation to be paid. The Committee
may also look into the water quality aspects of the rain water
harvesting systems and suggest remedial measures as may be found
necessary. The report may be furnished within four months from
today by e-mail at judicial-ngt@gov.in (preferably in the form of
searchable/OCR PDF and not image PDF). The same be also.
uploaded on website of CPC B with notice to affected parties who may
file their response, if any, before the next date."
3. It has been pointed out that the aforesaid paragraph 6 of the order
has not been modified by the Hon'ble Supreme Court while passing the
order dated 26.03.2025 in Civil Appeal No. 3074 of 2025. Therefore, the
said order is required to be complied with.
- Learned counsel for the Applicant has submitted that in terms of the
paragraph 6 of the order water audit is required to be conducted to
ascertain the extent of use and replenishment of the ground water in the
last three years by the Committee which was constituted by the order dated
20.12.2019. The Tribunal by order dated 20.12.2019 had constituted the
following Committee:-
"Before proceedings further, we consider it necessary to require
factual report from a joint Committee of State PCB, CPC B, District
Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar, NOIDA Authority and Central
Ground Water Authority. The State PCB will be the nodal agency for
compliance. The Committee may furnish its report within one month
by e-mail at judicial-ngt@gov.in."
5. In the above Committee, in terms of the direction contained in
paragraph 6 quoted above the additional representatives of the CPC B and
IIT Delhi are required to be included. In that Committee the Member
Secretary, UP PCB is the nodal agency. Hence, the Committee is directed
to do needful in terms of paragraph 6 of the order of the Tribunal dated
19.06.2020. The Member Secretary, UP PCB being the nodal agency will
ensure appropriate action by the Committee in terms of this order and the
Committee will submit the report within six weeks.
- Let a copy of this order be sent to the Director, IIT Delhi for necessary
compliance.
- List on 16.07.2026.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP
Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM
Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM
March 25, 2026
Original Application No. 1046/2019
Original Application No. 25/2020
A
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