Reviewed case brief

MC Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak)

AIR 1987 SC 1086

AIR 1987 SC 1086 · Supreme Court of India

absolute-liabilityoleum-gasshriram-industrieshazardous-activityart-21compensation
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1987
Subjects
Public International Law, Constitutional Law I, Law of Torts, Environmental Law
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

An enterprise engaged in inherently dangerous activity is absolutely liable for harm caused, with no exceptions (no act of God, no third-party defence, no consent). Compensation must be proportionate to the magnitude and financial capacity of the enterprise.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        AIR 1987 SC 1086

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.