Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: The Sikkim High Court is widening its climate justice case to include four major government authorities. This expansion follows the devastating flash floods that recently battered Nepal. Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan issued an order on September 17. They want accountability. The bench formally added the Union Ministry of Railways, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, and the State Power Department as respondents.
This case is officially registered as WP (PIL) No. 11 of 2026, titled In Re Climatic Justice in the State of Sikkim. The court started the action on its own initiative after reviewing a detailed note from the Chief Justice regarding regional flood threats. Three legal experts are now serving as Amici Curiae to help the bench evaluate the risks. These experts include Advocate Sudhir Mishra, who joined via video link with help from Ritwika Nanda and Petal Chandhok, alongside Senior Advocates Dr Doma T Bhutia and T R Barfungpa.
Legal representatives for the state and federal government are already moving. The Government Advocate accepted notice for the State Power Department. The Deputy Solicitor General of India accepted notice for the Ministry of Railways. The High Court Registry must now serve the remaining parties directly since the disaster authority lacks standing counsel. The court also ordered the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority to gather firsthand reports from the field. Judges want to see what is happening on the ground. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
Comments