Gandhinagar: The Kalol court, in a verdict of a case, filed 27 years ago, has sentenced the partners of a chemical company in Kalol GIDC to two-year imprisonment and a Rs 10 thousand fine for releasing polluted water without permission.

Bharat Petrochemical Corporation, located in the Kalol GIDC area, had been releasing 500 litres of polluted water daily without purification, which was produced during the production process of white oil and solvent using kerosene, diesel, and sulfuric acid as raw materials. The permission of the pollution control board is required before starting the industry, as per the provisions of the Company Act and the Water Pollution Act. Additionally, as per sections 24 and 25 of the law, the company is also obligated to operate according to the conditions specified in the approval for releasing the polluted water.

After an investigating officer’s visit on 5th January 1995 for releasing polluted water, a notice was issued to the company, and a sample of polluted water was taken in the presence of a responsible person from the company. A complaint was filed against the company and the partners of the company PR Shah (dead) and NR Shah. The case was ongoing for 27 years.

The Kalol court’s additional judicial magistrate ordered a two-year imprisonment for the surviving partner, NR Shah, who currently resides in Mumbai, and a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in three months of additional imprisonment. DeshGujarat