The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given villagers in Karedu, Andhra Pradesh, an additional opportunity to present evidence against the conversion of agricultural land for industrial purposes. The complaint, which originated from the green tribunal’s public grievances portal and was later converted into an original application suo motu, highlighted the proposed takeover of 8,348 acres of fertile agricultural land in Karedu village by a private solar company. This move jeopardized the livelihoods of around 16,000 families.
Despite the absence of the applicant and lack of supporting evidence, the Justice Tyagi-led Bench decided against dismissing the case. Citing the environmental concerns raised, the NGT deemed dismissal inappropriate and opted to grant the applicant another chance to appear and provide material supporting the claims made in the original application. Given that the issue arose in Andhra Pradesh, the NGT ruled that the matter should be heard by the Southern Zone Bench in Chennai.
The NGT directed the registry to schedule the case before the Chennai Bench on January 12, 2026, after securing necessary transfer orders. The applicant was instructed to attend and present all available evidence supporting their assertions on the specified date.
