Analytical Study on the Scope of Supreme Court Judgments on Crimes Related to Environmental Laws in India

Author(s)	Ms. Sangita Pravinbhai Shrimali, Mr. Rakesh kumar Ramanbhai Thakor, Dr. Alpesh Patel
Country	India
Abstract	This paper analyses the scope, effect, and limits of Supreme Court of India (SC) judgments in the domain of environmental crimes. Over the last four decades the Court has transformed environmental jurisprudence in India by importing global principles (precautionary principle, polluter-pays, sustainable development) and by developing doctrines such as absolute liability and expanded public interest remedies. Yet when it comes to criminal accountability for environmental harm the picture is mixed: the Court’s judgments have expanded avenues for redress and deterrence but face institutional, statutory, and doctrinal constraints that limit enforcement, criminal prosecution, and effective punishment. This study examines the major Supreme Court decisions, evaluates how they treat criminal liability (for individuals, officials, and corporations), identifies gaps between judicial pronouncements and practical enforcement, surveys recent trends, and suggests legal and policy reforms to strengthen criminal enforcement for environmental offences.
Keywords	MC Mehta (Oleum gas leak), Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum, Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action, and recent SC/NGT interactions.)
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-31
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.62253

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