Sikkim HC initiates PIL on ‘climate justice’ after Nepal floods

Guwahati: The High Court of Sikkim has initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to examine the severe hardship and wider impact caused by the recent flash floods in neighbouring Nepal.

The proceedings, titled Re Climatic Justice, have named the Ministry of Railways, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and the state Power Department as respondents. Notices have been issued to all four authorities, The New Indian Express reported.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan passed the order on September 17. The court said the reasons for taking up the matter on its own had been set out in a note prepared by the Chief Justice.

The bench also said it was necessary to hear members of the public and local communities who could potentially be affected by the developments. It stressed the need for an accessible platform through which their concerns could be brought before the court.

Three lawyers have been appointed as amici curiae to assist the bench in the proceedings. The matter will next be heard on October 6.

The court’s intervention comes against the backdrop of devastating floods in Nepal that have reportedly claimed at least 1,410 lives, while another 6,145 people remain missing. The floods, which began on August 26, are believed to have been triggered by an ice-rock avalanche and glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border.

Several parts of Nepal suffered extensive damage, with Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan among the worst-affected districts.