Allahabad High Court Quashes Pollution Board's Compensation Orders

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has quashed 178 orders by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board that imposed environmental compensation on various parties.

The Court held that the Board lacks adjudicatory powers and can only issue administrative directions. 

Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Subhash Vidyarthi ruled that only the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has the authority to assess and impose compensation for environmental harm.

The Court opined that the Board must approach the NGT for such relief and called for clearer legislation, as no existing state law grants it the power to penalise independently.