Nashik’s NGO Godavari Gatarikaran Virodhi Manch lead a protest that the holy river Godavari is been polluted by the public at large and that there is no action taken against the same. A criminal case has been filed against the responsible officials since May, 2012. The NGO has also registered the file with the Sarkarwada police on 21st July, 2012 against the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials.
![[ Godavari river banks in Nashik ]](https://www.page3nashik.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Godavari-river-banks-in-Nashik-.jpg)
The NGO had given the statement to the civic administration stating their demands, which included restriction of sewage water in the holy river, garbage etc.
The hearing of the case is declared on 26th August, 2013. The case is filed under the section 431 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which states any damage caused to public road, river, bridge or channel.
The district court through judicial magistrate 1st class PA Sane, will conduct an inquiry on the officials about the actual amount spent on the Godavari Action Plan for past 10 years.
The lawyer of the petitioners, Dhirendra Ponkshe said that, “”We have mentioned in the original petition to the high court that we have filed a case against the municipal commissioner at the district court under section 431 of the IPC for playing mischief with the river. However, the judicial magistrate wanted time to confirm it before arriving at a decision”.
PA Sane said that, “He will have to study the case thoroughly to ascertain if there has been any violation by the officials since a case against river pollution has been filed by the petitioners at the Bombay high court”.
A positive outcome is expected on the beneficiary steps taken by the NGO to save the holy river from excessive pollution!
