The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to take a decision within a week on a representation filed by Piramal Pharma Ltd challenging the immediate closure of its Dahej manufacturing facility over alleged environmental violations linked to hazardous waste dumping.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria disposed of the plea noting that the company had already made a representation before the Pollution Control Board on February 5, seeking quashing of the February 3 closure order.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Piramal Pharma, urged the court to stay the shutdown order, but the bench refrained from granting any interim relief saying the allegations included dumping of hazardous waste in the water body connected to the Narmada river.
The bench told Rohatgi, “This is about the alleged dumping of hazardous waste in the Narmada river… It is a source of water for the state and its people. You avail your remedy before the statutory authorities and the green tribunal.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
In its order, the Supreme Court directed the Pollution Control Board to give a chance to hear the company’s representation and take a decision on it within a week. It also made it clear that Piramal Pharma would be free to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which, if moved, should decide the case preferably within two weeks.
The Dahej facility is a major manufacturing unit for Piramal Pharma, producing specialty fluorochemicals and key starting materials (KSMs) used in inhalational anesthesia, which forms a significant part of the company’s hospital generic business.
The dispute arises out of allegations of environmental violations under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. According to the GPCB, on January 30, 2026, a tanker carrying spent hydrochloric acid departed from Piramal Pharma’s Dahej facility for delivery to a licensed effluent treatment unit in Surendranagar district.
While the journey usually takes five to six hours, villagers in Gandhinagar district reportedly saw the same tanker dumping chemical waste into the water canal on the morning of January 31. Acting on local complaints, monitoring inputs and route data, the Pollution Control Board concluded that the tanker had deviated from its authorized route.
Holding Piramal Pharma responsible as a generator of hazardous waste, the GPCB initiated emergency action, issued a show cause notice and ordered immediate closure of the Dahej plant on February 3.
The closure order directed complete closure of all manufacturing operations, stoppage of power and water supply except for limited use necessary for safe shutdown, and prohibited the use of captive power and diesel generator sets. The board also ordered the company to submit a document ₹Bank guarantee of Rs 15 lakh for one year, with a warning that non-compliance could lead to further action, including encashment of the guarantee.
On its part, Piramal Pharma denied any illegal dumping and held the third-party transporter responsible for the alleged violation. The company relied on GPS tracking data, including records from the pollution board’s monitoring system, to argue that the tanker was never near the Gandhinagar canal. According to the company, the vehicle had stopped at Bagodra on the authorized route for rest.
The company also argued that it was not given adequate opportunity to present its case before the closure order was issued and argued that closure of the entire plant was disproportionate, especially in light of alleged dumping by the third party transporter.
However, on February 5, the Gujarat High Court rejected Piramal Pharma’s challenge to the shutdown, saying that the Pollution Control Board has the authority to order immediate closure in cases involving risk of serious environmental damage.
