M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak Case)
Supreme Court of IndiaAIR 1987 SC 1086Bench: CJ P.N. Bhagwati,G.L. Oza,M.M. Dutt,K.N. Singh,Ranganath Misra
Related sections: Article 21, Article 32
An enterprise engaged in a hazardous or inherently dangerous activity is absolutely liable for any harm resulting from such activity, irrespective of fault or the exceptions available under the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher. The measure of damages must be correlated to the size and capacity of the enterprise so as to act as a deterrent. The case also entrenched PIL as a remedy for environmental harm under Article 32.