The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by activist Vikrant Tongad, which sought directives for the Punjab and Haryana governments to implement stricter measures against stubble burning.
The court rejected the plea, stating that it lacked specific details and emphasizing that the matter was already under judicial consideration.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the Supreme Court has previously issued multiple orders regarding stubble burning and continues to address the issue.
The judges expressed their reluctance to entertain repeated intervention applications without substantive grounds.
They stated that allowing such petitions would set an unnecessary precedent, leading to multiple parties filing similar applications without adding meaningful contributions to the ongoing legal proceedings. Consequently, the application was dismissed.
The petition raised concerns about the severe impact of stubble burning on air quality, particularly during the months of April and May. It argued that the resulting pollution is detrimental not only to residents of Delhi-NCR but also to those living in the affected states.
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The plea highlighted the disproportionate effect on vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, who are at a higher risk of health complications due to poor air quality.
The petitioner asserted that air pollution has evolved into a persistent national crisis, endangering the lives of millions and violating fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Despite repeated directives from the Supreme Court over the years, the plea contended that compliance has remained inadequate.
The petition criticised government agencies and other stakeholders for failing in their responsibility to safeguard public health and the environment, leading to continued deterioration in air quality.
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