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M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Taj Trapezium Matter)

2 SCC 353 (1997)

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M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Taj Trapezium Matter)

India Supreme Court
2 SCC 353 (1997)

  • Written by Liz Nakamura, JD

Facts

The Taj Mahal, a world heritage site located in India, was renowned for its historical, aesthetic, cultural, and architectural value. The Taj Mahal was primarily constructed using white marble. The Taj Trapezium was an area of approximately 10,400 square kilometers surrounding the Taj Mahal. The coal-burning industries within the Taj Trapezium produced significant sulfur dioxide emissions. The sulfur-dioxide emissions triggered acid rain, which substantially corroded and degraded the Taj Mahal. M.C. Mehta (plaintiff), a lawyer and environmental activist, filed a petition against the Union of India (the government) (defendant), India’s government, before the India Supreme Court, arguing that immediate steps needed to be taken to stop the air pollution in the Taj Trapezium from further damaging the Taj Mahal. Mehta supported his petition with a government report establishing that the coal-burning industries were the primary drivers of air pollution in the Taj Trapezium.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Singh, J.)

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