Reviewed case brief
M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath
(1997) 1 SCC 388
(1997) 1 SCC 388 · Supreme Court of India
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Year
- 1997
- Subjects
- Environmental Law
- Reviewed
- 2026-08-02
Rule established
The public trust doctrine constrains even the state's own formal administrative grants; the state cannot abdicate its trust obligation regarding resources held for public benefit through private lease arrangements. A subsequent 2000 order in the same litigation further imposed compensation calculated by reference to the environmental damage itself, independent of individual claimant loss.
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
(1997) 1 SCC 388; subsequent compensation order (2000)
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.