The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to entertain a petition raising concerns about the worsening water quality of the river Ganga in Varanasi. The plea had been filed by Badaravada Venugopal, who is also known as Baba Khatarnak, seeking judicial intervention over the alleged discharge of untreated sewage into the river.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant refused to examine the matter directly and instead advised the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court. The Court observed that issues of this nature should first be addressed by the jurisdictional High Court, particularly when local authorities and state agencies fall within its supervisory domain.
During the hearing, the Bench remarked that litigants often bypass High Courts and move the Supreme Court directly, even when effective remedies are available closer to home. The judges pointed out that concerns relating to untreated human sewage and river pollution could be more appropriately dealt with at the state level, where factual assessments and monitoring mechanisms are more readily accessible.
Granting liberty to the petitioner, the Court allowed him to file a representation before the relevant authorities or move the concerned High Court for relief. With these observations, the plea was disposed of, leaving it open for the petitioner to pursue remedies before the proper forum