Supreme Court Asks 'Baba Khatarnak' To Approach Authorities With Plea To Protect Ganga From Sewage

The Supreme Court recently refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to curb the sewage waste disposal into the Ganga River and around Manikarnika Ghat. The court has allowed the petitioner to approach the authorities or the High Court.

The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi was hearing the writ petition filed by a monk named 'Baba Khatarnak' who appeared in person.

The main grievance of the petitioner was related to the real-time discharge of untreated raw human excreta and sewage, resulting in sanitation failure within Manikarnika Kshetra, Manikarnika Tīrtha, Manikarnika Mahāśmaśāna, and the adjoining reaches of the River Ganga.

The petitioner also highlighted that real-time discharge of untreated human excreta and sewage enters the River Ganga at the Ganga Dwar–Manikarnika interface, and devotees access that very water as sacred Gangajal for ritual use and offering in the worship of Kashi Vishwanath. This leads to aggravated concerns about public health, and cultural preservation.

At the outset, the bench declined to entertain the plea, noting that the matter would fall under the policy domain. "Babaji, please go to the High Court," CJI Kant said.

The Court granted liberty to approach the concerned authorities and, if need be, approach the High Court. The order stated :

"The petitioner in this Writ Petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks a direction that no untreated sewage, raw human waste, overflow, seepage, back flow or sanitation discharge, whether direct or indirect, enter the river Ganga."

"In our considered opinion, the petitioner should firstly approach the prescribed or statutory authorities, and only when he does not find redressal of any specific issue, he may approach the jurisdictional High Court."

Case Details : BADARAVADA VENUGOPAL @ BABA KHATARNAK v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.| Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).171/2026

Read order here