GURUGRAM: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding a civil appeal that challenges a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order. This order dismissed claims that a luxury apartment complex in DLF 3 was constructed by unlawfully diverting a designated protected forest area.
The appeal was initiated by retired IFS officer RK Sharma along with journalist and social worker Pawan Kumar Bansal. They are contesting the NGT’s July 11, 2024 order, which rejected their concerns regarding the area near the Delhi-Gurgaon border.
Bansal informed TOI that they approached the court because they believe “commercial construction” is taking place on protected forest land. “We raised our concerns with the NGT regarding illegal encroachments and the construction of Ambience Island Lagoon Apartments on the Sikandarpur-Nathupur bundh and Nathupur drain,” Bansal stated.
The matter was reviewed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who set March 23 as the date for the return of notices.
The bench also granted permission for the petitioners to present their case in person.
The petitioners highlighted that a case previously filed by the Haryana government against the developer in the environment court in Faridabad was subsequently retracted by the state.
The petitioners are seeking the restoration of the land to the Haryana forest department, which they are also contesting.
