New Delhi, Oct. 5 -- The Supreme Court on Monday declined to interfere with a Calcutta High Court order holding maintainable a PIL alleging violations of forest rights in obtaining consent for the proposed Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana noted that the matter is already pending before the High Court and has been listed for hearing on November 25-26.

The bench urged the High Court to take up the matter on the scheduled dates and complete pleadings in connected proceedings.

Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, argued that the issue involved a project of "great national importance" and questioned the maintainability o...