Bombay High Court appoints Justices AA Sayed, Anuja Prabhudessai on pollution monitoring panel

Former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Amjad A Sayed and former Bombay High Court judge Anuja Prabhudessai have been appointed by the Bombay High Court to head a new High Power Committee (HPC) tasked with monitoring the enforcement of air-pollution mitigation measures in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad on January 29 said that the panel will supervise compliance with directions issued by the Court in a suo motu case initiated to check on air pollution.The panel will also review reports submitted by the Municipal Commissioner and other officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).“The HPC can review weekly reports submitted by Municipal Commissioner, BMC and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation/Additional Municipal Commissioners (ward-wise) [Mumbai city and MMR area] and the MPCB and make recommendations to them for formulation of immediate, medium and long-term measures to combat air pollution in Mumbai City and the MMR,” the Court added. .The Court said that it was constrained to set up the committee as air pollution levels in Mumbai had not gone down and were reported to be very severe in December 2025, despite repeated directions since 2023.The Court noted “unsatisfactory” compliance by municipal corporations and MPCB with its directions, observing that mere filing of compliance affidavits is not sufficient when there is no visible reduction in pollution levels.“Even after such observations made by this Court, the compliance so far made by the Municipal Corporations and the MPCB are not sufficient and satisfactory. Mere filing of compliance affidavits is not sufficient… the result thereof indicating decrease in pollution level is not coming forth,” the order states..The Court also flagged insufficient monitoring by civic squads and gaps in the installation of pollution sensors at construction sites.“We have observed that there are numerous spots where the air quality monitors were not installed, that the Municipal Corporations did not even reflect on the report prepared by the Committee in their affidavits as to inspection if at all carried by their squads, and insufficient monitoring by the Municipal Corporations inasmuch as the 91 squads formed by the MCGM were working only on daily basis and if at all inspecting one site in a day,” the court recorded..To enable the committee to function effectively, the Court has directed BMC to extend full logistical support and cooperation, including provision of suitable office space, vehicle and secretarial assistance, and to pay each member an honorarium of ₹1 lakh per sitting.“Any failure to render assistance to High Power Committee or refusal or disobedience of any request, order, directions of the High Power Committee shall be treated as breach of this order and appropriate proceedings including contempt proceedings shall be initiated,” the Bench warned..[Read order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.