Overview

• The Supreme Court struck down measures allowing ex post facto environmental clearances, declaring them illegal and contrary to environmental laws.
• The judgment reaffirmed the right to live in a pollution-free environment as part of the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• The court criticized the Centre for attempting to shield violators of environmental norms and restrained it from granting retrospective clearances in the future.
• Existing clearances granted under the 2017 notification and 2021 memorandum will remain undisturbed at this stage, but no further violations can be regularized.
• Opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, described the decision as a strong condemnation of the Modi government's environmental policies.