Who is Late Justice Kuldip Singh? 

• Late Justice Kuldip Singh is born on 1st January 1932. 

How was the Career Journey of Late Justice Kuldip Singh? 

• Late Justice Kuldip Singh Enrolled as an advocate in the Punjab High Court in November 1959. 
• He served as a part-time lecturer at Punjab University Law College from 1960 to 1971. 
• He worked as Senior Standing Counsel for the Central Government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court from 1971 to 1982. 
• Later he was appointed as Advocate General of Punjab from May 1987 to August 1987. 
• He became Additional Solicitor General of India in August 1987. 
• He was appointed as the Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 14th December, 1988. 
• Later he retired from the Supreme Court on 21st December 1996. 
• He is also known as the “Green Judge” of India. 

What are the Notable Judgments of Late Justice Kuldip Singh ? 

• MC Mehta v. Kamal Nath (1997): 
  • Justice Singh established that the Public Trust Doctrine is an integral part of Indian law. 
  • He extended this doctrine to cover all natural resources, including rivers, forests, seas, and air. 
  • The primary purpose of this legal principle is to protect the ecosystem. 
  • He ruled that the State Government can be held liable for committing breach of trust. 
  • This ruling made state authorities accountable as trustees of natural resources rather than owners. 
• MC Mehta (Taj Trapezium Matter) v. Union of India (1997): 
  • Justice Singh took firm action against industries using coke/coal near the Taj Mahal. 
  • He recognized that these industrial emissions were harming both local residents and the iconic monument. 
  • He applied the "Polluter Pays" principle in his ruling. 
  • He also implemented the principle of Sustainable Development. 
  • He shifted the burden of proof to the industries, requiring them to demonstrate their activities were not causing damage. 
  • He mandated that industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) must switch to natural gas instead of coke/coal. 
  • This ruling helped protect both public health and a world heritage monument. 
• S Jagannath v. Union of India (1997): 
  • Late Justice Singh emphasized the negative impact of shrimp farming on the environment, particularly on the mangrove ecosystem. 
  • He ruled that the Air Act and Environmental Protection Act and Rules take precedence over any conflicting State Acts. 
  • His judgment reinforced the importance of environmental laws in protecting fragile ecosystems. 
  • The ruling highlighted the need for sustainable practices to prevent ecological damage.
• MC Mehta (Calcutta Tanneries Matter) v. Union of India (1997) 
  • Late Justice Singh observed that Calcutta Tanneries were discharging toxic waste into the River Ganga, causing pollution. 
  • He upheld the principle "One who pollutes, must pay." 
  • He directed the Calcutta High Court to establish a Green Bench to monitor the tanneries' compliance with environmental regulations.