NGT Orders Delhi Police to Clarify Inspection Procedures for Suspicious Locations
The National Green Tribunal has mandated the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit an affidavit clarifying the legal procedures for inspecting locations suspected of illegal activities. This directive follows challenges faced by law enforcement in accessing these sites due to resident opposition. The tribunal aims to establish clear guidelines for future inspections, ensuring that legal protocols are adhered to. The next hearing is set for October 14, 2026, as the tribunal seeks to address the complexities surrounding these inspections and the necessary approvals required. Stay tuned for updates on this significant legal development.
| Aug 6, 2026, 13:37 IST
NGT Directs Police Commissioner for Affidavit Submission
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Commissioner of Police in Delhi to submit an affidavit. This affidavit must clarify the legal and procedural guidelines for inspecting locations that appear closed from the outside but are suspected of harboring illegal and polluting activities. The directive was issued by a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmed during a hearing on an application filed by Varun Gulati. The order followed a review of an affidavit submitted by the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Jaffrabad police station. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for October 14, 2026. The tribunal noted that the SHO's affidavit indicated that inspections could not be conducted due to the lack of specific permission or clear instructions from the competent authority.
Challenges in Investigating Alleged Illegal Activities
The affidavit also mentioned that there were significant challenges in investigating the alleged illegal activities due to opposition from residents. However, during the hearing, the lawyer representing the SHO was unable to specify whose approval was necessary to inspect the locations that were reportedly being used for illegal activities. In light of this, the tribunal directed the Police Commissioner and the police headquarters in New Delhi to file an affidavit detailing the procedures that can be followed in such situations and how inspections of these locations can be conducted legally.
Previous Inspections Yield No Results
The order stated that the SHO had complied with the tribunal's earlier directive by submitting the affidavit. According to this affidavit, a joint inspection team comprising officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), BSES, and Delhi Police visited three locations in Arvind Nagar and Ghonda on October 31, 2025. However, all the locations were found to be closed, preventing any inspections from taking place.