M.C. Mehta vs Union of India & Ors. (In Re : Recommendation Nos. 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of Report Nos. 71 and 78 Submitted By EPCA)

Bench: 3 — Deepak Gupta

In Brief

This landmark environmental case addresses whether India should allow sale of Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) vehicles beyond 31 March 2020, when stricter BS-VI emission standards take effect. The automobile industry sought a three-to-six-month grace period to clear BS-IV stock. The Supreme Court held that the right to clean air and healthy life under Article 21 of the Constitution takes absolute precedence over industry profits. The Court read down the government notification (Rule 115(21) of the Motor Vehicle Rules) permitting extended sales periods, directing that no BS-IV vehicle may be sold or registered nationwide from 1 April 2020 onwards. The judgment emphasizes inter-generational equity and uniform national implementation of cleaner fuel standards.

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Environmental Law Public Interest Litigation Vehicular Pollution Constitutional Right to Clean Environment Article 21 Inter-generational Equity Regulatory Interpretation Administrative Law

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