Can non-executive directors be prosecuted in Lavasa case, court asks MPCB

A local court hearing the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board's (MPCB) case against the Lavasa Corporation asked the Board to file an explanation by Thursday on whether non-executive directors of the company are liable for prosecution.

The company has five “non-executive” directors, according to the MPCB's application filed with the court earlier this month.

These include prominent businesspersons, including poultry giant Venkys owner Anuradha Desai, builder Annirudha Deshpande and Vitthal Maniyar, a close associate of NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

In all, 15 persons, including nine directors and six officials of Lavasa, were named as accused for alleged violation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Chief Judicial Magistrate N.T. Ghadge has asked the MPCB to submit the annual reports of Lavasa based on which 15 persons were named as accused.

The MPCB has also been asked to produce the file of correspondence between Lavasa and the State Department of Environment and Forests as the corporation sent a proposal for environmental clearance in January 2004.