M.C. Mehta vs Kamal Nath & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the public trust doctrine is part of Indian law, quashing the lease granted to Span Motel for environmental violations. The Court mandated the Motel to pay compensation for ecological restoration and prohibited the discharge of untreated effluents into the river Beas. The Court also directed the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board to ensure compliance with pollution control standards, emphasizing that fines for pollution cannot be imposed in civil proceedings under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution, as it conflicts with Articles 20 and 21.