In a significant move towards environmental protection, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, initiated suo motu proceedings regarding the rampant discharge of industrial waste into Rajasthan’s Jojari river. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta highlighted the dire consequences of this pollution, noting that effluent, primarily from textile and other factories, is contaminating the river and profoundly impacting hundreds of villages.
The court emphasized that the contaminated water has become unsafe for both human consumption and animal use, posing a serious threat to the health of local communities and the overall ecological balance of the region. The justices expressed deep concern, stating that ‘This court is taking suo motu cognisance with respect to river Marudhara Jojari, Rajasthan, where a lot of industrial waste primarily from textile and tile factories is being discharged making hundreds of villages and the drinking water for animals and humans both not potable.’
The Bench further directed that the matter be presented to the Chief Justice of India for immediate and appropriate follow-up actions to mitigate this critical environmental and public health crisis.