A Division Bench of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi directed the Executive Officer of Municipal Council Manali and the authorised representative of Suntan Life Pvt Ltd to remain personally present on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for July 8.
According to the inspection conducted on February 21, 2026, in the presence of Municipal Council officials, nearly 85 per cent of the waste reaching the Rangri plant was found to be mixed waste instead of segregated waste, in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The report noted that improper segregation had led to foul smell in nearby areas and that no effective odour or fly-control mechanisms were in place at the facility.
The court was also informed that untreated wet waste was lying exposed at the site, generating leachate, while the designated leachate pit was non-functional. During the hearing, it emerged that wet waste from Manali was being transported to a biogas plant at Jatwar in Ambala, more than 300 km away. The Bench expressed strong displeasure over the practice, observing that transporting untreated wet waste over such a long distance would itself contribute to pollution.