Supreme Court Mandates Comprehensive Institutional Framework to Combat Riverine Pollution in Rajasthan

Case Snapshot

Case Name: In Re: 2 Million Lives at Risk, Contamination in Jojari River, Rajasthan

Citation: 2026 INSC 812

Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta

Date of Judgment: August 7, 2026

Area of Law: Environmental Law, Constitutional Law, Water Pollution, Administrative Law, Criminal Law

Judgment in Brief

The Supreme Court, continuing its suo motu intervention into the severe environmental crisis in Rajasthan's Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system, issued comprehensive directions to establish an institutional framework for river rejuvenation and pollution control. The Court noted that the material placed on record clearly demonstrates severe degradation of the riverine ecosystem, contamination of water bodies, illegal discharge of industrial effluents, and systemic failures in regulatory enforcement affecting approximately two million lives.

The Court constituted an Integrated Coordination Group headed by the Chief Secretary to ensure inter-departmental coordination and implementation of directions. It directed the State to establish an independent River Commission/River Rejuvenation Authority for integrated river basin management. The Court also addressed critical issues including the determination and demarcation of High Flood Line and ecological buffer zones, restoration of HRTS sites, promotion of decentralized effluent treatment through Captive Effluent Treatment Plants, scrutiny of industrial areas near river corridors, and strengthening of groundwater management.

The Court further directed the Special Investigation Team to intensify its investigation, including examination of the role of public servants and industrial units, and established an Integrated Public Reporting and Environmental Grievance Redressal Mechanism for citizen participation. The State was directed to submit a Comprehensive Resolution Plan within three weeks.

Relevant Facts

The Crisis: The proceedings concern severe environmental degradation of the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system in Rajasthan, affecting approximately two million people. The pollution stems from discharge of untreated industrial effluents, contamination of water bodies, degradation of groundwater, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitats.

Previous Orders: On July 21, 2026, the Court took on record the Second Status Report of the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee and directed the State to respond to newspaper reports highlighting grave environmental concerns across different regions of Rajasthan.

Key Issues Identified:

• Widespread contamination of water bodies

• Discharge of untreated industrial effluents

• Degradation of groundwater, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitats

• Encroachments upon riverbeds and floodplains

• Deficiencies in identification of High Flood Line and buffer zones

• Systemic failures in regulatory enforcement

• Functioning of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)

Special Investigation Team: The SIT was constituted by the Court to investigate criminal aspects. Its report indicated prima facie connivance amongst officials of the RSPCB, the management of CETPs, and the industrial units in the discharge of untreated effluents.

Newspaper Reports: The Court handed over copies of newspaper reports highlighting environmental concerns, including:

• Pink coloration of a pond near the Jojari River at Tanawada (IIT Jodhpur found it likely attributable to saline and organic contamination)

• Pollution in Sanganer-Dravyavati-Nevta region from textile processing units

• Contamination of Morel Dam from industrial effluents from Sanganer-Sitapura industrial belt

CETP Issues: The 12.3 MLD ZLD-based CETP at Sangariya was operating below capacity; the CETP, Sangariya had accumulated approximately 200 Million Litres of waste

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