In Brief
In this ongoing public interest litigation concerning environmental protection and development near the Taj Mahal, the Supreme Court addressed the upgrade of a cremation ground and electric crematorium in Agra. The Court approved the authorities' development plan incorporating modern technology to reduce carbon emissions while preserving traditional cremation methods. It directed the authorities to upgrade the facility within three months and reserved the applicant's liberty to propose its technology for adoption. The Court conferred wide discretion on administrators to balance modernization with cultural sensitivities, while emphasizing that cremation grounds require proper maintenance and facilities.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.