Vinod Kumar Kabra vs The Union Of India And 18 Ors on 18 February, 2026

Author: Manish Choudhury

Bench: Manish Choudhury

                                                                 Page No.# 1/12

GAHC010216492025




                                                           undefined

                      THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT
  (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

                          Case No. : WP(C)/5600/2025

         VINOD KUMAR KABRA
         SON OF- BHAMORLAL KABRA,RESIDENT OF ROUMARI DOLONI, P.O.-
         BORBHOGA, P.S.- KOLIABOR, DISTRICT- NAGAON, ASSAM, PIN-782138



         VERSUS

         THE UNION OF INDIA AND 18 ORS.
         REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT,
         FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE MOEFF, INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN,
         JORBAGH ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003

         2:THE STATE OF ASSAM
          REPRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE
         GOVERNMENT OFASSAM
          DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
          DISPUR
          GUWAHATI
          PIN- 781006.

         3:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE STATE OF ASSAM
          DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
          DISPUR
          GUWAHATI
          PIN- 781006

         4:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY
          DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
          DISPUR
          GUWAHATI
         ASSAM

         5:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
                                                      Page No.# 2/12

FORESTS FORCE
H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPURGUWAHATI
PIN-781006

6:DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
 GOVT. OF ASSAM
 DAKHINGAON
 KAHILIPARA
 GUWAHATI
ASSAM

7:THE STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY SEIAA
 REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
 BAMUNIMAIDAM
 GUWAHATI-21

8:POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD.
 REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
 BAMUNIMAIDAM
 GUWAHATI-21.

9:THE KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL (KAAC)

REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG.

10:THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MEMBER
 KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
 DIPHU
 KARBI ANGLONG

11:THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST
 KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
 DIPHU.

12:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER

KARBI ANGLONG EAST DIVISION
DIPHU

13:THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER

NORTH WESTERN RANGE PARKUP PAHAR
KARBI ANGLONG
                                                                             Page No.# 3/12

             DIPHU

            14:THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
             KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
             DIPHU

            15:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF KARBI ANGLONG
             EAST DIPHU KARBI ANGLONG
            ASSAM

            16:THE ASSISTANT REVENUE OFFICER
             PHULONI REVENUE CIRCLE
             KARBI ANGLONG

            17:THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER DIPHU WATER RESOURCES DIVISION

             DIPHU.

            18:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF ENGINEER
             HILLS WATER RESOURCES ZONE
             DIPHU

            19:CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CEC
             3RD FLOOR
             CHANAKYA BHAWAN
             CHANAKYAPURI
             NEW DELHI-11002

Advocate for the Petitioner   : MR. B P BORAH, MR P J DUTTA,MR H MAZUMDER

Advocate for the Respondent : DY.S.G.I., MR. B DEKA (R-1),MR H GUPTA (C.G.C.),MR. B.
DEKA, SC, C.G.C.,SC, SEIAA,SC, PCB,SC, K A A C,MR. K. P. PATHAK, SC, FOREST,GA,
ASSAM




             Linked Case : WP(C)/5203/2025

            KADOM TERANGPI
            S/O DOCTOR SING KATHAR

            RESIDENT OF CHARAP KATHAR
            PO KAT TERON
            PS RONGMONGVE
            DIST KARBI ANGLONG ASSAM 782482
                                                    Page No.# 4/12



VERSUS

THE UNION OF INDIA AND ORS
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEFF)
INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI-110003

2:NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE
REPRESENTED BY THE MEMBER SECRETARY
 STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE
 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
 FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEFF) INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN
 JORBAGH ROAD
 NEW DELHI- 110003.

3:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REPRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT
OF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

4:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
TO THE STATE OF ASSAM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

5:THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY
TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM
ENVIRONMENT
FOREST
CLIMATE CHANGE DEPARTMENT
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

6:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
                                                     Page No.# 5/12

ASSAM

7:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
FORESTS FORCE

H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN-781006.

8:DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING

GOVT. OF ASSAM
DAKHINGAON
KAHILIPARA
GUWAHATI
ASSAM

9:THE STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY (SEIAA)
REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21

10:POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21

11:THE KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG.

12:THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MEMBER
KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG.

13:THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST

KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU.

14:THE RANGE OFFICER
NORTH WESTERN RANGE PARKUP PAHAR
KARBI ANGLONG.
                                                                 Page No.# 6/12


15:THE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU.

16:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
KARBI ANGLONG
EAST DIVISION
DIPHU

17:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
OF KARBI ANGLONG
EAST DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG
ASSAM

18:CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (CEC)

3RD FLOOR
CHANAKYA BHAWAN
CHANAKYAPURI
NEW DELHI-110021

19:ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL OF FOREST (FC)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
FOREST CONSERVATION DIVISION
------------
Advocate for : MR B P BORAH
Advocate for : DY.S.G.I. appearing for THE UNION OF INDIA AND ORS



Linked Case : WP(C)/5402/2025

TULARAM TERANG
S/O-DAMFLA TERANG
R/O-SILIMKHOWA
P.O-KAT TERON
P.S-RONGMONGVE
DIST- KARBI ANGLONG


VERSUS
                                                      Page No.# 7/12

THE UNION OF INDIA AND OTHRS
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEFF) INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI-110003

2:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REP. BY THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
DISPUR GHY-781006.

3:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST DISPUR GHY-781006.

4:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING DISPUR GHY ASSAM.

5:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR
OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF FORESTS FORCE H BLOCK 2ND FLOOR JANATA
BHAWAN DISPUR GHY-781006.

6:DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING GOVT OF ASSAM
DAKHINGAON KAHILIPARA GUWAHATI ASSAM.

7:THE STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESMENT AUTHORITY
REPRESENETED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21

8:POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21.

9:THE KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
DIPHU
KARBIANGLONG

10:THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MEMBER KARBI ANGLONG
AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU
KARBIANGLONG.

11:THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST KARBI
ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS
COUNCIL DIPHU
                                                    Page No.# 8/12

12:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
KARBIANGLONG
EAST DIVISON DIPHU.

13:THE RANGE OFFICER
NORTH WESTERN RANGE PARKUP PAHAR
KARBIANGLONG.

14:THE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
KAAC
DIPHU.

15:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF KARBI ANGLONG
EAST DIPHU KARBI ANGLONG ASSAM.

16:THE ASSISTANT REVENUE OFFICER
PHULONI REVENUE CIRCLE
KARBI ANGLONG.

17:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF ENGINEER
HILLS WATER RESOURCES ZONE
DIPHU KARBIANGLONG
ASSAM

18:THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER
DIPHU WATER RESOURCES DIVISION
DIPHU
KARBIANGLONG
ASSAM.
------------
Advocate for : MR. A KHANDAKAR
Advocate for : GA
ASSAM appearing for THE UNION OF INDIA AND OTHRS



Linked Case : WP(C)/5200/2025

BRONSON TERANG
S/O- ASLI TERANG

RESIDENT OF VILLAGE- MANDU BEY GAON
P.O.- KAT TERON
P.S.- RONGMONGVE
DIST.- KARBI ANGLONG
ASSAM
PIN- 782482
                                                    Page No.# 9/12



VERSUS

THE UNION OF INDIA AND ORS
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEFF)
INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI-110003

2:NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE
REPRESENTED BY THE MEMBER SECRETARY
 STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE
 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
 FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEFF) INDIRA PARIYAVARAN BHAWAN
 JORBAGH ROAD
 NEW DELHI- 110003.

3:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REPRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT
OF
ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

4:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
TO THE STATE OF ASSAM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

5:THE SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY
TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM
ENVIRONMENT
FOREST
CLIMATE CHANGE DEPARTMENT
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN- 781006

6:THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
                                                     Page No.# 10/12

ASSAM

7:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
FORESTS FORCE

H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI
PIN-781006.

8:DIRECTOR OF GEOLOGY AND MINING

GOVT. OF ASSAM
DAKHINGAON
KAHILIPARA
GUWAHATI
ASSAM

9:THE STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY (SEIAA)
REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21

10:POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
REPRESENTED BY ITS MEMBER SECRETARY
BAMUNIMAIDAM
GUWAHATI-21

11:THE KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG.

12:THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MEMBER
KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU
KARBI ANGLONG.

13:THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST

KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
DIPHU.

14:THE RANGE OFFICER
NORTH WESTERN RANGE PARKUP PAHAR
KARBI ANGLONG.
                                                                            Page No.# 11/12


            15:THE SECRETARY
            DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
            KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL
            DIPHU.

            16:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
            KARBI ANGLONG
            EAST DIVISION
            DIPHU

            17:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
            OF KARBI ANGLONG
            EAST DIPHU
            KARBI ANGLONG
            ASSAM

            18:CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (CEC)

            3RD FLOOR
            CHANAKYA BHAWAN
            CHANAKYAPURI
            NEW DELHI-110021

            19:ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL OF FOREST (FC)

            GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
            MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
            FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
            FOREST CONSERVATION DIVISION
            ------------
            Advocate for : MR. A KHANDAKAR
            Advocate for : DY.S.G.I. appearing for THE UNION OF INDIA AND ORS



                                     BEFORE
                    HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY

                                        ORDER

Date : 18.02.2026

Ms. J. Gogoi, learned counsel for the petitioners and Ms. S. Kemprai, learned Standing Counsel, KAAC are present.

Ms. Kemprai has submitted that the counter affidavit on behalf of the Page No.# 12/12

respondent KAAC have already been submitted in W.P.[C] no. 5600/2025, W.P. [C] no. 5200/2025 & W.P.[C] no. 5402/2025. Ms. Kemprai has further sought for and is granted 3 [three] weeks' time to file counter affidavit in W.P.[C] no. 5203/2025.

Ms. Gogoi, learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that the affidavits-in-reply have been filed in some of the cases.

Mr. D. Gogoi, learned Standing Counsel, Forest Department has sought for and is granted 4 [four] weeks' time to file the counter affidavit.

Learned counsel appearing for the respondent no. 1 in W.P.[C] no. 5600/2025 has also sought for and is granted 3 [three] weeks' time to file counter affidavit.

The prayers are allowed.

List the cases after 3 [three] weeks.

JUDGE

Comparing Assistant