LANDMARK CASE
Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. Union of India
(1996) 5 SCC 647 · Supreme Court of India · Environmental law
At a glance
- Citation: (1996) 5 SCC 647
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Area of law: Environmental law
- In one line: The precautionary principle and polluter pays principle are part of Indian environmental law.
1 Facts
Tanneries in Tamil Nadu were discharging untreated effluents into the Palar river.
2 Issue
What principles govern pollution and development?
3 What the court decided
The precautionary principle and polluter pays principle are part of Indian environmental law.
4 Why it matters
A cornerstone of environmental jurisprudence.
5 Think about it
How do these two principles shift the burden of proof?
6 Analyse it yourself
Read the full judgment from an official source or a law database, then brief it in seven steps: facts, issues, arguments, decision, ratio, obiter and significance. Always check the citation before you rely on it.
7 More cases on Environmental law
- A.P. Pollution Control Board v. Prof. M.V. Nayudu (1999) 2 SCC 718
- Arjun Gopal v. Union of India (2017) 1 SCC 412
- Centre for Environmental Law, WWF India v. Union of India (Asiatic Lion) (2013) 8 SCC 234
- Hinch Lal Tiwari v. Kamala Devi (2001) 6 SCC 496
- Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action v. Union of India (1996) 3 SCC 212
- Lafarge Umiam Mining v. Union of India (2011) 7 SCC 338
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