Facts
In a suo motu environmental matter concerning pollution of the Jojari River, the Court considered the Second Status Report of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee, the SIT report, the State's compliance reports, and newspaper reports highlighting widespread environmental degradation, untreated industrial discharge, groundwater contamination, and regulatory failures.
Issues Framed
Implied Issues:
(a) Whether further judicial directions were necessary to restore the Jojari–Bandi–Luni river ecosystem and strengthen environmental governance.
(b) Whether the investigation into industrial pollution required expansion and stricter institutional oversight.
Court's Reasoning
(a) The Court observed that the environmental issues involved multiple departments and could not be addressed through isolated action. A coordinated, multidisciplinary institutional mechanism was necessary for effective implementation of restoration measures. (Paras 18–22).
(b) The Court held that the SIT must conduct a deeper investigation into illegal discharge of industrial effluents, including the role of public officials, CETP management, industries, and financial and institutional links, without fear or favour. (Paras 4–8).
(c) Stressing the precautionary principle and sustainable environmental governance, the Court directed scientific determination of the High Flood Line, protection of ecological buffer zones, restoration of polluted sites, strengthening of CETPs, promotion of Captive ETPs, groundwater conservation, and prohibition of fresh development within river corridors until scientific demarcation was completed. (Paras 20–32).
Held
The Court issued extensive continuing mandamus, including directions to:
Constitute an Integrated Coordination Group within seven days.
Establish a River Commission/River Rejuvenation Authority for Rajasthan.
Continue and intensify the SIT investigation.
Prepare a Comprehensive Resolution Plan within three weeks.
Establish a digital environmental grievance reporting mechanism.
Continue monitoring by the High-Level Committee. (Para 33).
Conclusion
Environmental restoration of degraded river ecosystems requires coordinated institutional governance, scientific planning, strict regulatory enforcement, and continuing judicial supervision through integrated inter-departmental mechanisms.
Relevant Para
Para 33
The Court directed the State of Rajasthan to constitute an Integrated Coordination Group, prepare a Comprehensive Resolution Plan, establish an independent River Commission/River Rejuvenation Authority, intensify the SIT investigation, create a digital environmental grievance mechanism, ensure continued monitoring by the Committee, and secure coordinated implementation by all State authorities for restoration and protection of the Jojari–Bandi–Luni river ecosystem.
Case Details
Citation: 2026 INSC 812
Decided on: 07 August 2026
Case Title: In Re: 2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Vikram Nath, J.; Sandeep Mehta, J.