Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item titled "2 killed in blast at illegal cracker unit in Thanjavur appearing in The Hindu dated 19.05.2025".

The application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled 2 killed in blast at illegal cracker unit in Thanjavur” appearing in The Hindu dated 19.05.2025. The news item related to the death of two persons in an explosion at an illegal cracker manufacturing unit in Neiveli Thenpathy village, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. As per the news item, the deceased have been identified. It mentions that the blast occurred in a shed where the crackers were being manufactured. According to the article, the shed was damaged. The news item indicated violation of the provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment. The NGT directed notice to be issued to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); District Collector, Thanjavur and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The tribunal directed notice to be issued to the respondents for filing their response by way of affidavit before the southern bench of the NGT.