India, Feb. 24 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday ended its five-year oversight of river pollution caused by sewage discharge, observing that specialised bodies such as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are better equipped to monitor such issues. The court directed all statutory authorities, states and the central government to continue filing status reports before NGT, where similar proceedings are already pending.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said that it is for such matters that specialised tribunals such as NGT have been created. Taking exception to the January 13, 2021, order of the top court taking suo motu cognizance on this issue, the bench, also comprising justice Joymalya Bagchi, said, "It seems to us that in...