M.C. MEHTA versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

M.C. MEHTA versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

Court holds that legal and administrative measures alone are insufficient to control vehicular pollution; sustained efforts including public education, imaginative planning, and coordinated action are required. Accordingly, a committee is constituted to devise solutions, with the petition kept pending for ongoing monitoring.

Parties
Petitioner: M.C. Mehta; Respondents: Union of India and Ors.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
14 March 1991
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition / Interim Order; Petition Pending for Monitoring
Outcome
Interim order; petition pending for monitoring.
Legal Topics
Public Interest Litigation, Air Pollution, Vehicular Pollution, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties
Constitutional Law Environmental Law Administrative Law Public Interest Litigation Air Pollution Vehicular Pollution Directive Principles Fundamental Duties

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Parties

M.C. Mehta

Petitioner

Union of India and Ors.

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition / Interim Order; Petition Pending for Monitoring

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Closure of hazardous industries in Delhi
  2. 2 Regulation of automobile-induced air pollution
  3. 3 Control of pollution by thermal units generating power for DESU

Ratio Decidendi

Court holds that legal and administrative measures alone are insufficient to control vehicular pollution; sustained efforts including public education, imaginative planning, and coordinated action are required. Accordingly, a committee is constituted to devise solutions, with the petition kept pending for ongoing monitoring.

Court Disposition

Interim order; petition pending for monitoring.

Orders

  • Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of a retired Judge of the Supreme Court to devise methods for vehicular pollution control in Delhi.
  • Committee to include petitioner, Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board, representative of Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, and may co-opt up to three experts.