Court: Supreme Court of India · Date: 20 December 1986 · Citation: (1987) 1 SCC 395
Case
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas)
Facts
Litigation after oleum gas leakage from a hazardous industrial unit in Delhi.
Legal issues
Liability standard for hazardous industrial enterprises after a gas leak.
Law / provisions
Article 21; absolute liability; environmental PIL tools.
Holding
Absolute liability for enterprises engaged in hazardous activities — no Rylands exceptions escape; continuing mandamus tools in environmental PIL.
Key takeaways
- Hazardous industry bears absolute liability.
- Environmental PIL can use continuing mandamus.
- Article 21 underpins environmental dignity claims.
Significance
Cornerstone of Indian environmental liability doctrine.
Primary source
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1486949/
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