Question

Supreme court in a PIL known as Kamal Nath case evolved,

• A. Basic Future and Basic structure doctrine
• B. Public Trust doctrine
• C. Separation of power doctrine
• D. Public Interest doctrine

Hint:

Remember key environmental law doctrines and their associated cases: - Absolute Liability: M.C. Mehta v. UoI (Oleum Gas Leak case). - Public Trust Doctrine: M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath. - Precautionary Principle & Polluter Pays Principle: Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. UoI.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Kamal Nath case is a landmark judgment in Indian environmental law that applied a key environmental principle to protect natural resources.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The case is M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath, (1997) 1 SCC 388. The case involved the diversion of the course of the River Beas to protect a motel owned by a private company (Span Motels), in which the family of politician Kamal Nath had interests.
The Supreme Court invoked the Public Trust Doctrine for the first time in the Indian context. The court held that certain natural resources, such as rivers, forests, seashores, and the air, are of such great importance to the people as a whole that it is wholly unjustified to make them a subject of private ownership. The state, as a trustee, is under a legal duty to protect these resources for the enjoyment of the general public. The court quashed the lease granted to the motel and ordered them to pay compensation for the restoration of the environment.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The Supreme Court, in the Kamal Nath case, evolved and applied the Public Trust Doctrine.