HC extends temporary relief to Rohit Pawar-run sugar factory till Oct 16

Claiming that the board’s decision was passed under political influence, the firm controlled by the MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led party challenged the order.

The order issued on September 27 and served early on September 28 sought closure of the industrial unit within 72 hours.

The plea claimed the firm had obtained required permissions and was granted environmental clearance in 2022. However, MPCB during its regular inspection of the Pune unit, allegedly found certain irregularities, leading to the action.

The firm argued that the board’s order had been passed “without application of mind to the material on record and applicable law” and “without giving any satisfactory, independent reasoning and analysis in support of them”.

On September 29, a bench of Justices Nitin M Jamdar and Manjusha Deshpande had posted further hearing to October 6 and extended the direction in the board’s order till then.

On Friday, the bench extended temporary relief till October 16, sought reply by the state government and MPCB to the plea and posted further hearing to October 13.