Case Analysis: M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) – Calcutta High Court

One of the landmark judgments from Kolkata is M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987), which involved environmental law and the protection of the Ganga River. This case is significant as it was a crucial moment in the Indian judiciary's approach toward environmental protection, leveraging public interest litigation (PIL) as a tool for addressing large-scale environmental concerns.

The case stemmed from the pollution of the Ganga River, particularly from the discharge of untreated industrial effluents and sewage into the river. The petitioner, environmentalist M.C. Mehta, approached the Calcutta High Court (later transferred to the Supreme Court), highlighting the detrimental effects of industrial activities along the river on both public health and the ecosystem.

In its judgment, the court emphasized the need for immediate action and ordered the closure of certain polluting industries along the riverbanks. The case also led to the creation of stringent pollution control measures under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment Protection Act.

The judgment is pivotal in India's environmental jurisprudence, setting a precedent for the Court's proactive role in safeguarding natural resources and ensuring that industries comply with environmental regulations. It also marked the strengthening of PIL as a tool to uphold environmental justice.