In Brief
Two construction projects in Pune (Rhythm County and Key Stone Properties) were found by the National Green Tribunal to have violated environmental laws by constructing without proper consents under air and water pollution acts, and continuing work despite stop orders. The NGT imposed environmental compensation of ₹5 crore and ₹4.47 crore respectively, calculated partly using project cost as a yardstick. The Supreme Court upheld these orders, holding that the NGT has statutory authority to quantify compensation based on project cost or turnover where violations are substantive and the scale justifies it. The Court confirmed compensation must be rational and proportionate, guided by the "polluter pays" principle, and that expert committee reports inform but do not bind the Tribunal's independent judgment.
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