The High Court of Sikkim has impleaded the Geological Survey of India, the Press Information Bureau, Prasar Bharati and the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti as additional respondents in a public interest litigation concerning climate justice in the State.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan took the step suo motu on October 14, 2026, after considering suggestions submitted by Advocate Sudhir Mishra, the amicus curiae assisting the Court, in the matter titled In Re: Climatic Justice in the State of Sikkim.
The amicus curiae suggested impleading the additional parties in view of the issues involved in the proceedings. Taking note of the importance of the matter, the Court impleaded them as respondents and directed the newly added parties, along with the State Government, to respond to the suggestions by the next hearing.
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The Court also directed the State Government to place on record reports prepared by it and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority concerning the subject matter, with copies to be supplied in advance to all the amici curiae.
Further, the Court directed the State Government to file an affidavit stating whether any reports had been prepared by State agencies concerning the recent Rimbi incident in Sikkim. It also took on record newspaper reports published by Sikkim Express on the issue and asked the amicus curiae to examine them and suggest which issues required immediate judicial directions.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 2, 2026.
