1985 : Magsaysay award winner, M. C. Mehta, files a petition in the
Supreme Court, seeking the shifting or closure of polluting industries
operating illegally in Delhi. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, is
yet to be enforced.
1987 : The Shriram Fertilizers gas leak case. A petition filed by
Mr. M. C. Mchta in 1984 is heard by Mr. Justice P N. Bhagawati, who
enforced the "Polluter pays" principle.
1988 :Mr Justice E. S. Venkataramaiah enforces the Water Pollution
Act, 1974, in the Ganga pollution (by tanneries) case filed by Mehta.
Another order bars the Delhi municipal agencies from dumping wastes in
the Ganga-Yarnuna.
1992 : The first order on polluting industries of Delhi. The apex
court of the land orders closure of 300 stone-crushing units in Delhi
(the capital of India) in response to a petition filed by Mehta.
March 1995 : The Delhi government submits a list of hazardous units
in the Capital to the Supreme Court.
April 1996 : The Supreme Court orders closure of 513 polluting
industries.
July 1996 : An apex court bench comprising Mr Justice Kuldip Singh
and Mr Justice Faizan Uddin orders relocation of 168 polluting units
from Delhi.
December 1996 : The apex court clarifies on the relief to workers of
industries opting to close and refuses to extend the deadline.
