SC seeks AG help in plastic plea

The Supreme Court on Monday urged Attorney General G E Vahanvati to assist it in adjudicating a PIL seeking direction for complete ban on plastic bags and working out a mechanism for disposal of such materials.

A bench of justices G S Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda requested Vahanvati to render his assistance in proceeding with the case after finding out that no counsel was present on behalf of the Centre in “a very important matter.”

“The Union of India is the most important party in this case. Not only animals but human beings are also adversely affected by different kinds of plastic and their disposal. We request the attorney general’s assistance keeping in view the importance of the matter,” the bench said.

The court asked the Centre to file its response in six weeks. The PIL was filed by Karuna Society for Animals and Nature, an NGO seeking for the government to ban plastic use.