The Supreme Court has issued notices to the State Government and its various departments on a petition filed by the residents of Chinchavli village located in the ecologically sensitive Ambernath region of Thane district. The residents have challenged the Bombay High Court’s July 1, 2025, order in an over ₹190-crore illegal quarrying case inside the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone (MESZ) for nearly two decades.
The apex court, while hearing the plea, directed notices to be made returnable in six weeks. It also permitted the petitioners to serve as the standing counsel for the respondents. The respondents who are served notices include: Vishvanath Ramchandra Panvelkar of Laxmi Stone Industries, State Environment Department, Forest Department, district collector, tehsildar and police.
The order said, “Issue notice, returnable in six weeks. In addition to the usual mode, liberty is granted to the petitioners to serve the standing counsel for the respondents. Ms. Anagha S. Desai, learned Advocate on Record, who appears on caveat, waives notice on behalf of the respondent no.9. She is at liberty to file the counter affidavit.”
The petition has been filed by Nandakumar Waman Pawar (63), an environmental activist, and Bhagawan Walku Waraghada (30), a tribal resident of Chinchavli. They contend that while the Bombay High Court acknowledged violations and ordered recovery of over ₹190 crore from the quarry operator, it failed to adjudicate on their demands for cancellation of the quarry lease, ecological restoration of the mined landscape, environmental compensation for residents, and accountability of state regulatory agencies.
