Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Leaves Great Nicobar PILs to Calcutta High Court
A public-interest case is challenging the environmental approval for a large project on Great Nicobar.
The Centre questioned whether that case could be heard by the Calcutta High Court.
The Supreme Court chose not to decide that objection.
Instead, it left the case with the High Court, where similar cases are also waiting.
The Supreme Court asked the High Court to try to hear the case on November 25 and 26.
The National Green Tribunal had cleared the project in February.
It said the project was strategically important and had adequate environmental safeguards.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 81,000 crore.
The Supreme Court declined to entertain the Centre’s objection to the maintainability of a PIL challenging clearance for the Great Nicobar project.
A three-judge bench was led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The court left the matter to the Calcutta High Court, where similar cases are also pending.
The Supreme Court asked the High Court to endeavour to hear the matter on November 25-26, the dates already fixed.
The National Green Tribunal cleared the Rs 81,000-crore project in February, citing strategic importance and adequate environmental safeguards.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, and the Calcutta High Court; the Supreme Court bench was led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
- What
- The Supreme Court declined to entertain the Centre’s objection to the maintainability of a PIL challenging clearance for the Great Nicobar project and left the matter to the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The Supreme Court acted on Monday and asked the High Court to endeavour to hear the matter on November 25-26; the year is not stated.
- Where
- The case is before the Calcutta High Court and concerns the Great Nicobar project.
- Why
- The court left the issue to the Calcutta High Court, noting that similar matters were also pending there.
Centre
PIL challengers
Whether the PIL can be heard
Centre
The Centre raised an objection to the maintainability of the PIL before the Calcutta High Court.
PIL challengers
The PIL challenges the clearance for the Great Nicobar project; the article does not provide further details of the challengers’ arguments.
- Project
- Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project
- Estimated cost
- Rs 81,000 crore
- Supreme Court action
- Declined to entertain the Centre’s maintainability objection
- High Court dates
- November 25-26; the year is not stated
- Supreme Court bench
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana
- National Green Tribunal decision
- Cleared the project in February, citing strategic importance and adequate safeguards in its environmental clearance