The National Green Tribunal (NGT) principal bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, is hearing the multiple cases of irregular and illegal construction in the hill town of Kasauli in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.

On Wednesday (July 26), the case of Bonzo Resorts came up. While hearing the arguments, the bench asked the counsel of the hotels whether there is any constitutional obligation on the part of the citizens of India towards the environment.

Regarding the particular hotel, the bench asked the counsel to submit its consent to operate. The counsel presented some documents which the bench found out to be showing consent to establish. The bench grilled the counsel for not knowing the basic difference between establish and operate.

The hotel admitted that they operated from 2006 to 2014 without necessary permission.

The bench asked the state to present the documents showing the application of this hotel. It was found out that this hotel applied for consent to establish in year 1996.

The bench directed the joint inspection team to visit the hotel and submit a report. And since this hotel operated without proper consent an environment compensation of Rs 5 lakh was to be paid.

That matter was listed for August 8.

Bench then took up another hotel, Valley View. The owner of the hotel was present and submitted that he opened this hotel with a partner, Randeep Suri, and that his partner was responsible for all this illegal construction. “I am already in litigation with him,” the owner said.

The bench issued notice to Suri and directed state and pollution board to make sure that this notice is served through the local SHO. And if he doesn’t turn up, the bench will issue a non-bailable warrant.

This particular matter will be listed for August 1.

—India Legal Bureau