The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to a major fire breakout at a perfume warehouse at Ramasamudra, close to Kumbalagodu on Bengaluru’s Western outskirts.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 19.02.2024.
As per the news item, the cause of fire is yet to be ascertained but as per the disclosure inflammable materials were stocked in the building which lacked adequate safety measures.
It also discloses that an old house was converted into a perfume warehouse and three employees who were inside the warehouse at the time of the incident had died as they could not find a way out and smoke surrounded them.
The news item does not reflect that any compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased victims.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Central Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(2). Karnataka State Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(3). Director of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health, Bengaluru.
(4). Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Bengaluru.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench , for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 28.05.2024.