SC refuses to entertain plea seeking intervention to declare Joshimath subsidence natural disaster

The Supreme Court has refused to consider a plea for an intervention into the Joshimath subsidence issue and declare the crisis as a national disaster.

The Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud, dismissed the plea of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati seeking immediate intervention by it.

The bench, also including Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, asked the petitioner to move the Uttarakhand High Court with a fresh intervention application.

The Apex Court said the Uttarakhand High Court can suitably redress the grievances including relief and rehabilitation to the affected people. The CJI said as a matter of principle, the top court should allow the HC to deal with the matter.