The Gujarat High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging air, water and noise pollution by a private industry in Sarigam, Valsad, holding that the allegations were vague and misleading. The Court also imposed a cost of ₹1 lakh on the petitioner for misuse of the judicial process and wastage of judicial time.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by Satyajeet Paras Nath Rai Kumar, who claimed to run a manpower supply business and reside in Sarigam. He alleged that the private industry, referred to as Respondent No.8 in the judgment, was operating close to residential areas and causing substantial air, water and noise pollution.
The petitioner sought directions for an investigation into alleged environmental violations, restrictions on nighttime noise and action concerning the industry's captive power plant and environmental clearance.
Among other allegations, the petitioner questioned the use of non-recyclable plastic waste as fuel in a 34.5 TPH boiler used for 7.5 MW power generation. He also alleged that the industry had failed to comply with conditions attached to its environmental clearance.
GPCB's Inspection Reports
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), however, placed detailed inspection reports before the Court. It stated that inspections had been conducted several times between January 2025 and June 2026, including on the basis of complaints made by the petitioner.
According to the GPCB, testing conducted during inspections showed compliance with applicable noise and ambient air quality standards. Groundwater samples collected from three locations also did not show contamination attributable to the industry.
The Board further informed the Court that the industry had undertaken plantation and that around 15,000 trees had been planted within its premises.
Court's Observation
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray found that the petitioner's rejoinder did not specifically answer several assertions made by the GPCB.
The Court observed:
"Thus, we found that vague and misleading assertions have, thus, been made in the writ petition as well as affidavit-in-rejoinder, by the petitioner about the alleged violation of environmental norms by the respondent no.8 industry."
The Bench also noted that the inspection material contradicted the petitioner's claim that the GPCB had taken no action on the complaints. It recorded that the available reports indicated that ambient air quality, noise standards and water quality were meeting the prescribed standards.
Decision
The High Court held that the PIL appeared to have been filed with personal motives and described the petitioner as a "busybody". Finding the petition motivated and frivolous, the Court dismissed it with costs of ₹1 lakh.
The amount was directed to be deposited within three weeks before the Registrar General and transferred to the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority for tree plantation in an area selected by the State Authority, for the benefit of orphan and tribal children.
"For the aforesaid, we are of the view that the present public interest litigation being a motivated and frivolous writ petition filed by a busybody, deserves dismissal with a cost of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh), for misuse of the process of the Court and wastage of precious judicial time of the Court."
The writ petition was accordingly dismissed, while the connected Civil Application for Joining Party was also disposed of.
Case Details
- Case Title: Satyajeet Paras Nath Rai Kumar v. State of Gujarat & Ors.
- Case Number: R/Writ Petition (PIL) No. 24 of 2026
- Judge: Chief Justice Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray
- Decision Date: 18 August 2026
