Name: Nikhil Vikas Gunjal
Roll no.: M2229
Institute: Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Management Studies.
Nirma Limited, a leading consumer goods company in India, was related to environmental pollution caused by its cement plant in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.It was primarily based on the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.
In 2011, the Gujarat High Court ordered the closure of the plant on the grounds that it was causing damage to the environment and nearby water bodies.
The case was filed by the local fishermen community who alleged that the discharge of untreated waste water from the Nirma plant was polluting the water bodies and affecting their livelihood. The company, on the other hand, denied the allegations and argued that it had obtained all necessary approvals from the authorities.
The case went through several rounds of legal battles and appeals, and finally, in 2012, the Supreme Court of India ordered the closure of the plant, citing the lack of transparency and due process in granting environmental clearances to the company. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 50 lakhs (approximately $70,000) on the Gujarat government for granting illegal clearances to the company.
The Nirma plant case was seen as a landmark decision in India’s environmental jurisprudence, highlighting the importance of environmental protection and the need for strict implementation of environmental laws and regulations.