SAMARTH TRUST GENERAL SECRETARY MANISH MANJUL Vs. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS PARYAVARAN BHAWAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The questions for our consideration are culled out from two orders passed by this Court on 14th September, 2009 and on 27th January, 2010. The two questions are:

(2.) The two orders dated 14th September, 2009 and 27th January, 2010 read as follows: "14th September, 2009 Amongst other issues, two issues of general public importance arise for consideration in the present writ petition, namely, the nature, scope and methodology of public hearing that has to be held in accordance with the MOEF"s Notification dated 14th September, 2006 and whether units manufacturing asbestos based products should be allowed to function in view of the fact that asbestos has been banned in several countries on the ground that it is a hazardous product. However, as in the present case respondents have seriously challenged the locus/motive of the writ petitioner, we deem it appropriate to appoint Mr. Sanjay Parikh, Advocate as Amicus Curiae to assist this Court. The Registry is directed to communicate this order to Mr. Sanjay Parikh at 102, New Lawyers Chamber, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi. Mr. J.K. Sethi, learned counsel for petitioner is also directed to furnish a copy of entire paper book to Mr. Sanjay Parikh within a period of one week from today.

(3.) The question "whether units manufacturing asbestos based products should be allowed to function in view of the fact that asbestos has been banned in several countries on the ground that it is a hazardous product" was not pressed since it is already pending in the Supreme Court in Kalyaneshwari v. Union of India, WP(C) No. 260/2004. Background facts: