The Supreme Court of India has reserved its verdict on whether projects that violated environmental norms can be granted clearance later. The decision will impact projects worth thousands of crores and future environmental law enforcement in India.
The Supreme Court was urged to constitute a bench to reconsider petitions on retrospective environmental clearances after projects violated norms. Referring to its November 18, 2025 ruling, a 2:1 majority led by then CJI B R Gavai permitted it.
CJI BR Gavai stated that he did not alter his judgment in the retrospective environmental-clearance case even after reading Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s sharp dissent. The Supreme Court’s majority recalled an earlier ruling, while Justice Bhuyan warned the decision weakens core environmental principles.
