In a 2:1 split verdict, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 18) set aside its own verdict that quashed the Centre's decision to grant retrospective environmental clearances to projects. The order came as a major relief for realtors, miners, and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

The top court held that permissible projects can be granted ex-post facto environmental clearance.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice K Vinod Chandran delivered three separate verdicts on a batch of nearly 40 review and modification pleas filed against the Vanshakti judgment.

CJI Gavai and Justice Chandran recalled the May 16 verdict of Justice AS Oka against the grant of retrospective environmental clearance. Justice Bhuyan dissented, saying there was no conce

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