Bombay High Court Quashes 36-Year-Old Water Pollution Conviction

In a major ruling on April 2, 2025, the Bombay High Court overturned the convictions of two senior officials from Gujarat Petro Chem (Note: No specific Wikipedia page exists for Gujarat Petro Chem, so linked to Gujarat), ending a legal battle that lasted for over 30 years. The case dates back to 1996, when the company’s executives, P.A. Parekh and M. Chatterji, were convicted for allegedly discharging untreated sewage effluents into a stream, violating environmental laws.

Despite being sentenced to 18 months in prison, the executives appealed the conviction, arguing that the charges were unclear and the evidence insufficient. The defence pointed out that the prosecution had failed to specify the executives’ direct roles in the pollution and had relied on vague accusations. Furthermore, they argued that the company had valid discharge permissions from the authorities.

The High Court found several flaws in the case. First, it noted that the prosecution did not clearly define the roles of the accused. Secondly, the court highlighted that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had not followed proper procedures for collecting evidence, particularly the water sample, which was a key part of the case.

Because of these issues, the High Court quashed the convictions, ruling that the evidence wasn’t enough to prove guilt beyond doubt. This decision emphasizes the importance of clear, reliable evidence and proper procedures when holding individuals accountable for corporate actions.