NGT Dismisses Plea for Judge's Recusal in Water Pollution Case

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) rejected an advocate's plea to disqualify a judicial member due to conflict of interest claims. The NGT warned against allowing baseless accusations to influence judicial processes, describing the practice as 'forum shopping.' The appointment of amicus curiae remains the bench's prerogative.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed a plea by an advocate seeking the recusal of a judicial member in a water pollution case, citing potential conflict of interest.

The tribunal emphasized that granting such a plea would undermine the justice system, as lawyers could manipulate grounds for a judge's disqualification. The NGT underscored that appointing amicus curiae is solely at the bench's discretion.

Advocate Gaurav Bansal's request was based on claims that Advocate Gaurav Agarwal's role as amicus, and his relation to Justice Sudhir Agarwal, presented a conflict. However, the NGT refuted these claims, noting that Bansal had no issue appearing before the same bench in other cases.

(With inputs from agencies.)