{"id":17995,"date":"2026-03-26T11:27:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T11:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=17995"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:35:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T11:35:36","slug":"post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Facto Environmental Clearance Under Fire: Supreme Court Sends Strong Warning on Illegal Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"introduction-a-quiet-doctrine-a-loud-message\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction_A_Quiet_Doctrine_A_Loud_Message\"><\/span>Introduction: A Quiet Doctrine, A Loud Message<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The recent Supreme Court ruling\u2014\u201cPost-Facto Environmental Clearance Allows Impermissible Projects To Continue Till State Intervenes\u201d\u2014marks a significant moment in India\u2019s environmental jurisprudence. While the Court stopped short of completely outlawing post-facto environmental clearances, it unmistakably expressed deep constitutional discomfort with the practice.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Introduction_A_Quiet_Doctrine_A_Loud_Message\" >Introduction: A Quiet Doctrine, A Loud Message<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Case_Citation\" >Case Citation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#The_Core_Issue_Can_Illegality_Be_Regularised\" >The Core Issue: Can Illegality Be Regularised?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Why_This_Judgment_Stands_Out\" >Why This Judgment Stands Out<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#1_Reinforcing_The_Environmental_Rule_Of_Law\" >1. Reinforcing The Environmental Rule Of Law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#2_Strengthening_The_Doctrine_Of_Sustainable_Development\" >2. Strengthening The Doctrine Of Sustainable Development<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#3_A_Subtle_But_Firm_Check_On_Executive_Overreach\" >3. A Subtle But Firm Check On Executive Overreach<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#4_Nationwide_Implications_Across_Sectors\" >4. Nationwide Implications Across Sectors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#5_The_%E2%80%9CContinuing_Illegality%E2%80%9D_Problem\" >5. The \u201cContinuing Illegality\u201d Problem<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#A_Possible_Policy_Shift_on_the_Horizon\" >A Possible Policy Shift on the Horizon<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Likely_Future_Developments\" >Likely Future Developments:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#The_Message_Is_Unmistakable\" >The Message Is Unmistakable:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Balancing_Development_and_Ecology_The_Courts_Tightrope_Walk\" >Balancing Development and Ecology: The Court\u2019s Tightrope Walk<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Conclusion_A_Wake-Up_Call_for_Governance\" >Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Governance<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#It_Tells_Regulators\" >It Tells Regulators:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#It_Tells_Industries\" >It Tells Industries:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#It_Tells_Citizens\" >It Tells Citizens:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#And_Most_Importantly_It_Reinforces_a_Timeless_Constitutional_Principle\" >And Most Importantly, It Reinforces a Timeless Constitutional Principle:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/post-facto-environmental-clearance-supreme-court-india\/#Final_Word\" >Final Word<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment must not be read narrowly. It is not merely about one project or one clearance. It is about the integrity of environmental governance, the limits of executive discretion, and the rule of law in regulatory frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"case-citation\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Case_Citation\"><\/span>Case Citation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the detailed citation is awaited in law reports, the ruling aligns squarely with the ratio laid down in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Rohit Prajapati<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common Cause v. Union of India<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These precedents form the jurisprudential backbone of the Court\u2019s present reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-core-issue-can-illegality-be-regularised\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Core_Issue_Can_Illegality_Be_Regularised\"><\/span>The Core Issue: Can Illegality Be Regularised?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of the matter lies a fundamental question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can an activity that begins in violation of environmental law be subsequently legitimised through post-facto clearance?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court\u2019s answer, though nuanced, is clear in spirit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Post-facto clearance is an exception, not a norm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It cannot be used as a tool to regularise deliberate illegality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yet, in practice, such clearances have allowed projects to continue operating until the State steps in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This creates a dangerous administrative precedent\u2014\u201cbuild first, seek approval later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-this-judgment-stands-out\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_This_Judgment_Stands_Out\"><\/span>Why This Judgment Stands Out<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reinforcing-the-environmental-rule-of-law\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Reinforcing_The_Environmental_Rule_Of_Law\"><\/span>1. Reinforcing The Environmental Rule Of Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court has reaffirmed that environmental compliance is not procedural\u2014it is substantive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not a bureaucratic hurdle; it is a constitutional safeguard flowing from Article 21 (Right to Life).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>By questioning post-facto approvals, the Court is effectively saying:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Law cannot be reduced to a postscript.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strengthening-the-doctrine-of-sustainable-development\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Strengthening_The_Doctrine_Of_Sustainable_Development\"><\/span>2. Strengthening The Doctrine Of Sustainable Development<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The ruling echoes the principles laid down in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Rohit Prajapati<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common Cause v. Union of India<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In Alembic, the Court categorically held that ex-post facto environmental clearance is alien to environmental jurisprudence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, in Common Cause, the Court imposed heavy penalties on illegal mining operations, reinforcing that economic gain cannot justify ecological harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The present judgment builds on this foundation by reinforcing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Precautionary Principle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Polluter Pays Principle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intergenerational Equity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-subtle-but-firm-check-on-executive-overreach\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_A_Subtle_But_Firm_Check_On_Executive_Overreach\"><\/span>3. A Subtle But Firm Check On Executive Overreach<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment is, in essence, a constitutional reminder to the executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, regulatory authorities have increasingly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allowed projects to commence without clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Later granted retrospective approvals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Imposed nominal penalties as a formality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Court has now signaled that such practices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Undermine statutory mandates under the Environment Protection Act, 1986<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk converting regulatory frameworks into post-violation approval mechanisms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nationwide-implications-across-sectors\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Nationwide_Implications_Across_Sectors\"><\/span>4. Nationwide Implications Across Sectors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This ruling has pan-India consequences, affecting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Sector<\/th><th>Implication<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Infrastructure<\/td><td>Highways, dams, and urban expansion projects<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mining<\/td><td>Extraction activities operating without prior EC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Real Estate<\/td><td>Large-scale construction projects bypassing EIA norms<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Industrial Licensing<\/td><td>Manufacturing units commencing operations without clearance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In practical terms, thousands of projects currently operating under post-facto approvals may face renewed scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-continuing-illegality-problem\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_The_%E2%80%9CContinuing_Illegality%E2%80%9D_Problem\"><\/span>5. The \u201cContinuing Illegality\u201d Problem<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most striking aspects of this judgment is its recognition of a legal grey zone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Projects that begin illegally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue operating due to administrative inaction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain legitimacy through delayed approvals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court acknowledges that such projects continue to exist in a twilight zone of legality\u2014neither fully lawful nor immediately shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This creates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regulatory uncertainty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unequal compliance burdens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Erosion of public trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"policy-shift-on-the-horizon\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Possible_Policy_Shift_on_the_Horizon\"><\/span>A Possible Policy Shift on the Horizon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment may well be a precursor to a larger doctrinal shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"likely-future-developments\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Likely_Future_Developments\"><\/span>Likely Future Developments:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stricter scrutiny of post-facto clearance applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Imposition of deterrent penalties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Possible legislative or executive rollback of retrospective approvals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening of pre-approval compliance mechanisms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"core-message-environmental-clearance\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Message_Is_Unmistakable\"><\/span>The Message Is Unmistakable:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Environmental clearance must precede, not follow, project execution.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"balancing-development-and-ecology\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Balancing_Development_and_Ecology_The_Courts_Tightrope_Walk\"><\/span>Balancing Development and Ecology: The Court\u2019s Tightrope Walk<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that the Court has not adopted an absolutist stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>India\u2019s developmental realities require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Infrastructure growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Industrial expansion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment generation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Court insists that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Development cannot come at the cost of constitutional morality and environmental sustainability.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the essence of sustainable development\u2014not development at any cost, but development within legal and ecological limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion-wake-up-call-governance\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_A_Wake-Up_Call_for_Governance\"><\/span>Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Governance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment is not merely a legal pronouncement\u2014it is a systemic audit of governance practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"message-to-regulators\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Tells_Regulators\"><\/span>It Tells Regulators:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Act before violations occur<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"message-to-industries\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Tells_Industries\"><\/span>It Tells Industries:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Compliance is not optional<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"message-to-citizens\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Tells_Citizens\"><\/span>It Tells Citizens:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Environmental rights are enforceable rights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"constitutional-principle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_Most_Importantly_It_Reinforces_a_Timeless_Constitutional_Principle\"><\/span>And Most Importantly, It Reinforces a Timeless Constitutional Principle:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Illegality cannot be sanctified by administrative convenience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-word\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Word\"><\/span>Final Word<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having watched environmental jurisprudence evolve over decades, I would characterize this ruling as a course correction rather than a revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But make no mistake\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If followed through, it has the potential to transform how India regulates development itself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction: A Quiet Doctrine, A Loud Message The recent Supreme Court ruling\u2014\u201cPost-Facto Environmental Clearance Allows Impermissible Projects To Continue Till State Intervenes\u201d\u2014marks a significant moment in India\u2019s environmental jurisprudence. While the Court stopped short of completely outlawing post-facto environmental clearances, it unmistakably expressed deep constitutional discomfort with the practice. This judgment must not be read<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":555,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[3217,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-17995","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-environmental-law","7":"tag-environmental-law-2","8":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/555"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17995\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}