Supreme Court Considers Fresh Hearing on Retrospective Environmental Clearances Pleas

In 2025, the Supreme Court reversed a May 16 bench ruling that barred retrospective environmental clearances (EC) for projects violating norms, allowing such clearances upon penalty payments. The majority revived a 2017 notification and 2021 memorandum enabling regularization of projects started without prior EC. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dissented, citing conflicts with environmental principles. A fresh hearing on related pleas, including one by NGO Vanshakti, has been requested, with the Chief Justice considering setting up a three-judge bench.