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Public Nuisance / Municipal Complaint

You are affected by a public nuisance — open garbage dumping, blocked drains, illegal construction, stray animal menace, or broken roads — and need to complain to municipal authorities.

Do this now
  1. 01Photograph and document the nuisance (garbage, blocked drain, broken road, etc.)
  2. 02File a written complaint with the Municipal Corporation / Nagar Palika
  3. 03Use the SWACHHATA app or municipal complaint portal (city-specific)
  4. 04File a complaint on the CM/PM Grievance portal — pgportal.gov.in
  5. 05If health hazard — inform the local health officer
  6. 06If no action in 30 days, send a legal notice to the Municipal Commissioner
  7. 07For systemic issues — file a PIL in the High Court
Evidence to collect
  1. Photographs and videos of the nuisance with date and location
  2. Written complaints submitted to authorities (with acknowledgement)
  3. Response (or lack thereof) from municipal authorities
  4. Medical reports if health is affected
  5. News reports about the same issue (if covered)
  6. Witness statements from affected neighbours
Documents you need
  1. Written complaint to Municipal Corporation
  2. Photographs as evidence
  3. Previous complaint acknowledgements
  4. Legal notice to Municipal Commissioner (if escalating)
  5. PIL petition (if filing in High Court)
  6. ID proof and address proof
Where to complain
  1. Municipal Corporation / Nagar Palika — Written complaint or online portal
  2. SWACHHATA App — For cleanliness-related complaints
  3. District Magistrate — For urgent public nuisance issues
  4. CM Grievance Portal / PGPORTAL — pgportal.gov.in
  5. State Pollution Control Board — For pollution-related nuisance
  6. High Court — PIL for systemic civic failures
Laws that apply
  1. BNS Section 292 — Public nuisance
  2. BNS Section 271 — Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease
  3. Municipal Corporation Act (state-specific) — Civic responsibilities
  4. Environment Protection Act — Section 15 (Pollution and hazards)
  5. Article 21 — Right to clean and healthy environment
Understanding the issue

Public nuisance is any act that causes common injury, danger, or annoyance to the public. Under BNS Section 292, public nuisance is a criminal offence. Municipal Corporations are responsible for maintaining civic amenities — roads, drains, garbage collection, street lights, and public hygiene. Citizens can file complaints with the Municipal Corporation, and if not resolved, approach the District Magistrate or file a PIL in the High Court for systemic issues.

When to see a lawyer

Consult a lawyer if you want to file a PIL for systemic issues, if the municipal body is not responding to repeated complaints, or if you want to send a legal notice.