Oleum Gas Leak / M.C. Mehta Case

Supreme Court of India(1987) 1 SCC 395

Bench: P.N. Bhagwati CJ, Ranganath Misra J, G.L. Oza J, M.M. Dutt J, K.N. Singh J (5-judge bench)

The rule in Rylands v Fletcher (strict liability with exceptions) is not adequate for modern industrial enterprises dealing with hazardous or inherently dangerous substances. An enterprise engaged in a hazardous activity is absolutely liable — without any exception — to compensate all those who are harmed by any accident. The principle of absolute liability replaces the English strict liability rule in India.