The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, has dismissed an appeal filed by Sagar Paper Mills Pvt. Ltd. challenging a monetary demand raised by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) for groundwater, after the Authority withdrew the impugned order and issued a fresh demand.
The appeal arose from an order dated 19 March 2025 passed by the CGWA, which had imposed a financial liability on the appellant. During the hearing, counsel for the CGWA informed the Tribunal that the earlier demand was based on an incorrect calculation and had since been withdrawn. A fresh order, reflecting a revised demand of ₹68,04,274, was communicated to the appellant via email on 5 August 2025.
Taking note of this subsequent development, the bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) observed that the original impugned order no longer survived for adjudication, as it had been superseded by the fresh demand. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed as infructuous.
However, the Tribunal granted liberty to Sagar Paper Mills to challenge the revised demand in accordance with the law before the appropriate forum. The CGWA also fairly agreed that if such a challenge is filed within four weeks from the date of the order, the issue of limitation would not be raised against the appellant.
Appearances
Mr. Anubhav Anand Aron & Mr. Abhinav Anand, Advocates for the Appellant
Mr. Gigi. C. George, Advocate for the Respondent – CGWA
