Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Jabalpur High Court Seeks Reports On Union Carbide Toxic Residue
The Madhya Pradesh High Court is examining toxic waste linked to the Union Carbide factory.
The court asked two government bodies to provide all their reports within two weeks.
One of those bodies has already submitted results from testing groundwater near the factory.
People involved in the case can respond to those results within two weeks.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
Some groups are worried about toxic ash stored at a waste facility in Pithampur.
They say the ash contains a lot of mercury.
This conflicts with an official 2025 report that said mercury was not detected.
The court will consider the reports and the comments from the groups involved.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered reports on toxic residue within two weeks.
The Department of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation and MP Pollution Control Board must provide the reports to all parties.
The MP Pollution Control Board submitted groundwater-testing results from samples near the Union Carbide factory.
Petitioners and intervenors have two weeks to comment on the groundwater report.
NGOs allege that 900 metric tonnes of ash stored at Pithampur contains high mercury levels, disputing a 2025 report that said mercury was not detected.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Department of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation, the MP Pollution Control Board, petitioners, intervenors, and NGOs.
- What
- The court ordered reports on toxic residue and received a groundwater-testing report concerning samples near the Union Carbide factory.
- When
- The reports and comments are due within two weeks; the next hearing is scheduled for October 15. The disputed official report was issued in 2025.
- Where
- The case is being heard at the principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur; the ash is stored at a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility in Pithampur.
- Why
- The court is examining concerns about hazardous waste and allegations that toxic ash contains high concentrations of mercury.
Groups Raising Mercury Concerns
Official Report Cited
Mercury levels in toxic ash
Groups Raising Mercury Concerns
NGOs, Pithampur Bachao Samiti, and Bhopal groups allege that the 900 metric tonnes of ash or residue stored at Pithampur contains high concentrations of mercury.
Official Report Cited
A 2025 official report cited in the case said mercury was not detected.
Need for further examination
Groups Raising Mercury Concerns
Petitioners and intervenors have raised serious alarms and are seeking scrutiny of the toxic residue and related testing.
Official Report Cited
The MP Pollution Control Board has submitted a groundwater-testing report, which the court has asked the parties to review and comment on.
- Court
- Principal Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur
- Bench
- Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra K Singh
- Reports requested from
- Department of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation and MP Pollution Control Board
- Deadline
- Two weeks
- Next hearing
- October 15
- Residue quantity
- 900 metric tonnes of toxic ash or residue
- Storage location
- Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility in Pithampur
- Disputed finding
- NGOs allege high mercury concentrations, while a 2025 official report said mercury was not detected