The Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of a suo-motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter with respect of the harmful effect on the health of the prisoners undertrials due to release of toxic gases from the dyeing mills being operated near and around the Central Jail, Ludhiana.
Status report regarding the steps taken by the respondent has been placed on record wherein it has been stated that several steps have been taken to reduce the pollution and omission of intoxicating gases.
Avinit Avasthi, Assistant Advocate General who appeared for the respondent-State of Punjab as well as Diya Sodhi counsel for the Punjab Pollution Control Board submitted that the issue regarding pollution in Ludhiana has been taken up by the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi and a committee to monitor the same has been constituted which is monitoring the issue and is also submitting the periodical report to the Tribunal.
It is further stated that monitoring is continuing under the guidance of the Tribunal.
In the circumstances, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli do not think it appropriate to keep this matter pending before this Court any further. The file is accordingly disposed of by the Bench and directed to be consigned to the record-room.