In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has intervened to stay the demolition of illegal coke plants in Meghalaya, issuing an interim order while considering a writ petition. The Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District had previously ordered the demolition of these plants, a move that has now been halted pending further proceedings.
The apex court's order, issued by a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Datta, reads, "Demolition of coke plants, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District shall remain stayed. However, the said Deputy Commissioner shall be at liberty to seal the coke plants' premises, which shall remain non-operational."
This decision came in response to a writ petition, Writ Petition (Civil) No 720/2023, filed in the Supreme Court. The petitioner, Druk Fuels Limited, challenged the orders issued by the district administration for the demolition of the coke plants.
The issue of illegal coke plants in Meghalaya has been a matter of environmental concern and legal dispute. The Meghalaya High Court had previously directed the state government to take action against these unauthorized plants, which are believed to be operating clandestinely and contributing to environmental pollution.
Reports indicate that around 57 illegal coke plants are reportedly functioning in East Jaintia Hills District and other areas of the state, leading to pollution concerns. The state government has initiated measures to address this issue, including shutting down some of these plants and starting the process of dismantling bee-hive coke ovens to prevent their reactivation.
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