M.C. Mehta And Anr vs. Union of India & Ors.

Abstract

The privately held Shriram Food and Fertilizers Ltd. fertilizer factory was situated in Kirti Nagar, a densely populated district of Delhi with a population of about 200,000. Due to the factory's chemical operations, it released dangerous compounds that annoyed the population. On December 4 and 6, 1985, public interest lawyer MC Mehta submitted a writ petition to the Supreme Court under Articles 21 and 32, requesting the closure and transfer of the factory's Shriram Caustic Chlorine and Sulphuric Acid Plant. During the pending lawsuit, the Oleum Gas Leak incident occurred at one of the factory's plants and caused severe harm to people who inhaled the gas. The leakage also took the life of one of the lawyers who practiced in the Tis Hazari Court.