Supreme Court of India

M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath and Ors.

Neutral citation

Reported as [2000] SUPP. 1 S.C.R. 389

Bench S. Saghir Ahmad and Doraiswamy Raju JJ.

Decided 12 May 2000

INSC stands for INDIAN SUPREME COURT. A neutral citation scheme assigned by the Court itself, so a judgment can be cited without depending on a commercial law reporter. INSC is the neutral citation scheme assigned by the Supreme Court, so a judgment can be cited without depending on a commercial law reporter.

12 Supreme Court benches have cited this judgment.

What the Court ordered

In view of the above, it is difficult for us to hold that the pollution fine can be imposed upon Mis.

Judgment, page 12

From the headnote

Environmental Protection and Pollution Control: Constitution of India, 1950: c Articles 48- , 51- (g), 32 and 226-Environment and Ecology- Pollution and degradation of - "POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE"-lnvoking of-Notice issued to compalTJ' pursuant to the judgment of Supreme Court dated I 3-12-1996 for payment of (i) compensation and (ii) pollution fine for causing degradation of environment-Validity of-Held: In a writ petition or PIL court can award damages not only for the restoration of the ecological balance but also for the victims who have suffered due to ecological disturbance-However,

Where later benches applied it

2025 Delhi Pollution Control Committee v. Lodhi Property Co. Ltd. Etc. relied on
2024 Gene Campaign & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors. relied on
2021 Madras Bar Association v. Union of India and Anr. relied on
2018 Public Interest Foundation & Ors. v. Union of India & Anr. relied on
2011 State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. v. K. Shyam Sunder & Ors. relied on
2025 Vellore District Environment Monitoring Committee Rep. by its Secretary Mr. R. Rajebdran v. The District Collector, Vellore District & Others referred to
2024 The State of Telangana & Ors. v. Mohd. Abdul Qasim (died) Per Lrs. referred to
2024 M K Ranjitsinh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. referred to
2023 Kaushal Kishor v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. referred to
2019 Tata Housing Development Company Ltd v. Aalok Jagga and Others referred to
2019 Union of India v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. referred to
2011 Indian Council for Enviro-legal Action v. Union of India & Others referred to

Of those, 5 relied on · 7 referred to

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