Important Questions — Environmental Law, Unit 2

Previous Osmania University LL.B. exam questions for Environmental Law, Unit II, each linked to the notes post that answers it. Sourced from actual OU Paper V: Environmental Law question papers — August/September 2013, February/March 2015, February/March 2016, March/April 2017, March/April 2018, September/October 2021, and February 2026 (Code No. H-12005). Every question here is answerable entirely from what's already published on this site.

Part A — Short Answer

1. Trespass. (August/September 2013)
   Trespass as a Remedy Against Environmental Pollution
2. Absolute Liability. (February/March 2015, February/March 2016, September/October 2021; see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Oleum Gas Leak Case (1986))
   Strict and Absolute Liability
3. Strict Liability. (March/April 2018)
   Strict and Absolute Liability
4. A residential area is affected by excessive noise from a nearby industry. What legal remedies are available under Indian law? (February 2026)
   Trespass as a Remedy Against Environmental PollutionRemedies under the Specific Relief Act, 1963

Part B — Long Answer

1. What are the provisions of criminal law (IPC & Cr.P.C.) relating to pollution control? (August/September 2013)
   Relevant Provisions under IPC, CrPC and CPC for Environmental Pollution
2. What are the common law remedies against public nuisance? (March/April 2017, September/October 2017, September/October 2021 — asked in near-identical form across multiple sittings)
   Trespass as a Remedy Against Environmental PollutionNegligence as a Remedy Against Environmental PollutionRelevant Provisions under IPC, CrPC and CPC for Environmental Pollution
3. What are the various provisions of criminal law relating to abatement of public nuisance and explain them. (March/April 2018)
   Relevant Provisions under IPC, CrPC and CPC for Environmental Pollution
4. Explain the common law remedies against pollution, with special reference to nuisance and trespass. (February 2026)
   Trespass as a Remedy Against Environmental PollutionNegligence as a Remedy Against Environmental Pollution
5. Discuss the principles of Strict Liability and Absolute Liability with the help of case law. (February 2026; see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Oleum Gas Leak Case (1986))
   Strict and Absolute Liability

Part C — Problem / Case-Study Questions

1. An oil tank in an oil refinery exploded causing extensive damage to the property of people residing in the vicinity. When those people claimed compensation, the management of the refinery argued that they are not liable as there was no negligence on their part. Discuss the applicable law. (August/September 2013; see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Oleum Gas Leak Case (1986))
   Strict and Absolute Liability
2. There was a massive escape of the lethal MIC gas from the Bhopal plant into the atmosphere, resulting in death and injury to innocent and helpless persons living in the city of Bhopal. Advise Bhopal plant. (February/March 2015, February/March 2016; see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Oleum Gas Leak Case (1986))
   Strict and Absolute Liability
3. Mr. Shyam had a baking oven with a defective chimney which was emitting smoke and fume causing health hazards to the neighbourhood. One Mrs. Jaya, by filing a petition u/s 133 of Cr.P.C., pleaded for demolition of the chimney and a permanent ban on his business. Will Mrs. Jaya succeed? (March/April 2018)
   Relevant Provisions under IPC, CrPC and CPC for Environmental Pollution
4. A foreign company set up a pesticide manufacturing unit in a semi-urban area. It stored a huge volume of poisonous gases required for pesticide production. One day a terrorist planted a bomb in the factory which exploded, releasing the gases, killing thousands and injuring many more. Is the company liable for compensation? (March/April 2018; see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the Oleum Gas Leak Case (1986))
   Strict and Absolute Liability
5. Santosh worked in coal mines for twenty-five years and retired. Just after his retirement, he came to know that he contracted a deadly lung disease because of continuous exposure to coal dust. Can he claim any money from the management of the coal mines? (August/September 2013)
   Negligence as a Remedy Against Environmental Pollution