February 23, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has transferred a case concerning alleged environmental damage to the Guniya River in Madhya Pradesh to its Central Zone Bench in Bhopal for further hearing.
The matter arose from a complaint submitted by social worker Vikram Singh Tomer of Guna district through the tribunal’s Public Grievances Portal on November 7, 2025. The tribunal treated the complaint as an Original Application and registered it as O.A. No. 112/2026 while invoking its suo motu jurisdiction in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha.
In his complaint, Tomer alleged that the Guniya River, once considered the lifeline of Guna city, has been severely degraded over the past several decades due to illegal encroachments and unregulated development. According to the complaint, the river earlier flowed in its natural form for more than 20 kilometers and had banks exceeding 600 feet in width. However, over the past 50 years, the river’s natural structure and ecological balance have allegedly been destroyed due to unauthorized land occupation and illegal plotting by private colonizers.
The complaint further claimed that illegal construction activities have taken place along both banks of the river, including brick kilns, small industrial units, and residential buildings. As a result, garbage and industrial waste are reportedly being dumped into the river, worsening environmental conditions and making it difficult to prevent further encroachments.
Tomer also raised concerns about public health risks faced by residents living near the river. He alleged that continuous dumping of waste has contaminated local water sources, with chemical-laden water reportedly reaching hand pumps and jet pumps used by nearby communities. According to the complaint, residents are facing health problems such as malaria and dengue due to the deteriorating environmental conditions.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, no one appeared on behalf of the applicant during the hearing before the Principal Bench of the tribunal in New Delhi. The bench also noted that the applicant had not submitted any supporting material to substantiate the claims made in the application.
After reviewing the case, the bench comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh observed that the cause of action arises within the jurisdiction of the tribunal’s Central Zone Bench located in Bhopal. Considering this jurisdictional aspect, the bench decided that it would be appropriate for the matter to be heard there.
The tribunal accordingly directed its registry to list the matter before the Central Zone Bench in Bhopal on March 23, 2026, after obtaining necessary approval from the chairperson for transfer of the case. The registry was also instructed to inform the applicant about the next hearing date and ask him to appear either physically or through video conferencing and submit any available supporting documents before the Bhopal bench.
The case will now proceed before the Central Zone Bench, which is expected to examine the allegations relating to illegal encroachments, waste dumping, and ecological damage to the Guniya River in Guna district.
Case Reference : Original Application No. 112/2026; Vikram Singh Tomer Applicant Versus State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. Respondents.
