2026:UHC:2125-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA AND THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR. SUBHASH UPADHYAY Writ Petition (PIL) No.37 of 2026 25 March, 2026 Mohd. Najim -----Petitioner Versus Union of India and Others ----Respondents -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presence:- Mr. Sachin Kumar Sharma, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. Lalit Sharma, learned Dy. Solicitor General along with Mr. Manoj Kumar, learned Standing Counsel for the Union of India. Mr. B.S. Parihar, learned Addl. C.S.C. for the State of Uttarakhand. Mr. Aditya Pratap Singh, learned counsel for respondent no.4. Ms. Anjali Bhargava, learned counsel for the Gram Sabha. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUDGMENT : (per Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta C. J.) 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. The present PIL has been filed raising concerns regarding alleged illegal mining in and around river Ganga and its tributaries. 3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board and learned State Counsel state that the issue relating to alleged illegal mining in and around river Ganga is already under consideration in PIL No.15/2022, “Matri Sadan Vs. Union of India”. 4. As the issue is already under consideration in the said case, therefore, we are not inclined to register a separate case and dispose of the writ petition with liberty 1 2026:UHC:2125-DB to the petitioner to seek intervention in the said case, if so advised. 5. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of. (MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA, C. J.) (SUBHASH UPADHYAY, J.) Dated: 25.03.2026 SS 2 SUKHBANT SINGH Digitally signed by SUKHBANT SINGH DN: c=IN, o=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, ou=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, 2.5.4.20=71978f9c61bfde0ba69967c787b1764ea7bc7dd1 29a8a6380d49b1885e628615, postalCode=263001, st=UTTARAKHAND, serialNumber=2D8B71B8D8E345F6B7F95B1DD4FB4BEBD 2B7D72C42261361AED33172F152148D, cn=SUKHBANT SINGH Date: 2026.03.27 10:19:57 +05'30'