1 2026:CGHC:9964-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 103 of 2025 1 - In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Based On News Item, Published In Daily Newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur Dated 15th December, 2025 Namely Kalika Nagar Me Khule Me Jala Rahe Kachara, Fail Raha Pradooshan ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh 2 - C.G. Environment Conservation Board Through Member Secretary, Paryavaran Bhawan, North Block, Sector - 19, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Central Pollution Control Board Parivesh Bhawan, Cbd - Cum - Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi – 110032 4 - The Collector District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 5 - Superintendent Of Police District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 6 - Commissioner Municipal Corporation Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent(s) ALOK SHARMA Digitally signed by ALOK SHARMA Date: 2026.02.27 10:44:16 +0530 2 For Petitioner(s) : None For State/ Respondent(s) : Mr. Praveen Das, Addl. Advocate General. For Respondent No. 2 : Mr. Amrito Das, Advocate. For Respondent No. 3 : Ms. Veena Nair, Advocate. For Respondent No. 6 : Ms. Anadi Sharma, Advocate. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge Order on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice 26/02/2026 1. This is an office reference. 2. This Court had taken suo motu cognizance of a news report published in the Hindi daily newspaper Dainik Bhaskar under the headline “ कालिका नगर ेሰ खु ेሰ ज रहे काचर, ” फे  रहे ्ቚदूषण , highlighting the issue of open burning of garbage in Kalika Nagar, Ward No. 07, Bilaspur. The report stated that garbage was allegedly being burnt daily near the Gramin Bank, resulting in the spread of smoke and pollution in the area, causing inconvenience and health concerns, particularly to children and elderly residents. It was further reported that despite repeated complaints to the Municipal Corporation, no effective remedial steps had been taken, and that due to irregular garbage collection, certain persons resorted to burning waste to dispose of it. 3. This Court had taken cognizance of a news item published in a daily newspaper reporting that certain waste materials were allegedly 3 burnt, resulting in pollution and causing serious health concerns to the local residents, including children and elderly persons, who were stated to be experiencing breathing difficulties. The issue pertained to environmental safety and public health and, therefore, required the immediate attention of the authorities concerned. 4. Accordingly, this Court deemed it appropriate to direct the Collector, Bilaspur, and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur, to file their personal affidavits addressing the allegations contained in the news report and indicating the action taken or proposed to be taken. Learned State counsel was directed to communicate the said order to the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, as well as to the aforesaid authorities for necessary information and follow-up action. In compliance with the order dated 15.12.2025, two affidavits have been filed one by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur, and the other by the Collector, Bilaspur on 17.12.2025. Pursuant to the directions of this Hon’ble Court dated 15.12.2025, a joint spot inspection was conducted by a team comprising a Scientist from the Chhattisgarh Pollution Control Board, the Zone Commissioner, the Ward Councillor/Corporator, and the Cleanliness Inspector. During the inspection carried out on 15.12.2025, no incident of active garbage burning, fire, smoke, or ongoing burning of solid waste was found at the concerned location. A report/panchnama was prepared and photographs were taken in support thereof. Local residents informed the inspection team that certain instances of garbage burning had occurred approximately two months earlier; 4 however, no such activity was presently taking place. It has further been stated that regular door-to-door garbage collection and sanitation work is being carried out in Ward No. 07 on a routine basis. The affidavits also state that the Municipal Corporation strictly prohibits open burning of solid waste and has issued necessary instructions to all zonal officers and sanitation staff to ensure compliance with environmental norms, with appropriate action to be taken in case of violations. The affidavits affirm compliance with the Court’s directions and state that the contents are true and correct as per official records. 5. Learned State counsel submits that, in compliance with the directions of this Court, prompt action has been taken by the concerned authorities. A joint inspection was conducted immediately after publication of the news report, and no instance of active garbage burning was found at the site. It is further submitted that regular door-to- door garbage collection is being carried out in the concerned ward and that strict instructions have been issued by the Municipal Corporation to prohibit open burning of solid waste. According to the learned State counsel, necessary preventive and corrective measures have already been implemented and all issues highlighted in the news report have been duly addressed by the authorities concerned. 6. This Court has considered the affidavits filed by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur, and the Collector, Bilaspur, along with the submissions advanced by learned State counsel. From the material placed on record, it appears that pursuant to the directions issued by this Court, a joint spot inspection was 5 conducted immediately and no instance of active burning of solid waste was found at the site at the time of inspection. It has further been stated that regular door-to-door garbage collection is being undertaken in the concerned ward and that necessary instructions have been issued to ensure strict prohibition of open burning of waste materials. In view of the steps taken and the assurances given by the authorities, this Court takes note of the compliance reported, while expecting the authorities to remain vigilant and to ensure that no such incident occurs in future. 7. In view of the above submission made by learned Addl. Advocate General, no further direction is required to be passed by this Court and as such, this case is consigned to records. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Alok