'Public Infra Damaged As Officers Were Dragging Their Feet': Supreme Court In Suo Motu Case Over Rajasthan's Jojari River

In the suo motu case taken up over pollution of River Jojari in Rajasthan, the Supreme Court today deprecated the state's failure to provide adequate logistical support to the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee tasked with preparation of a blueprint for restoration of the Jojari–Bandi–Luni river system.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta orally noted that Rajasthan's Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma had been "very positive" in his response as an officer of the Court. But, the instructing persons seemed "not to be too impressed" by what is happening.

"Look at the pictures! Poles have been abandoned because of this stagnant water. What about public infrastructure? People suffering - that's a different thing. Immense public infrastructure has been damaged and destroyed. Because the officers were dragging their feet. Nearly 100 factories operating without permission on agricultural fields!", remarked Justice Mehta.

Initially, the bench was inclined to summon the State Chief Secretary on the next date to explain why the Committee was not appropriately assisted. However later, order to that effect was not passed. The order was dictated thus:

"Committee constituted in pursuance of order dt. 21.11.2025 has forwarded an interim report which runs into nearly 202 pages. The Committee has given its report in different compartments highlighting the actions taken, the recommendations made and the logistic issues faced by it in completing the task assigned by this Court. We request Chairperson of the Committee to forward a soft copy of the report so it can be provided to all counsels representing the parties in this matter. Ld. AAG for Rajasthan assures that issues pointed out by the Committee regarding non-providing of appropriate human resources and official assistance shall be taken care of by the state government by next date."

To recap, the Court took suo motu cognizance with respect to River Jojari noting that industrial waste, primarily from factories, was being discharged there, affecting hundreds of villages and making drinking water not potable. The registration of the case was preceded by uploading of a documentary named “2 Million Lives at Risk| India's Deadliest River | Marudhara | Jojari | Rajasthan” on YouTube by a channel named “News Pinch” on September 12.

In November 2025, the Court criticized the State for its inaction over decades to restore the Jojari–Bandi–Luni river system and constituted a High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee headed by a former High Court Judge. The Committee was asked to prepare a comprehensive, time-bound River Restoration and Rejuvenation Blueprint for the entire river system that includes Rivers Jojari, Luni and Bandi and ensure its phased implementation.

Case Title: IN RE: 2 MILLION LIVES AT RISK, CONTAMINATION IN JOJARI RIVER, RAJASTHAN, SUO MOTO WP(C) NO(S). 8/2025