Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 · Chapter II: General Powers of the Central Government
Section 5: Power to give directions
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law but subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act, issue directions in writing to any person, officer or any authority and such person, officer or authority shall be bound to comply with such directions.
Explanation.—For the avoidance of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power to issue directions under this section includes the power to direct—
(a) the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process; or
(b) stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 14 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 5
-
Vanashakti v. Union of India
Whether the 2017 Notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in the context of the EIA Notification 2006 for grant of ex post facto environmental clearances (EC) is legal and…
-
Mr. R. Rajebdran v. The District Collector, Vellore District & Others
Matter pertains to pollution caused by tanneries by discharging untreated or partially treated effluents into the River Palar and surrounding areas; and as regards the correctness of the order passed by the High Court…
-
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Paper Cup Manufactures Association v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors
Whether the High Court was justified in dismissing the writ petitions filed by the appellants-association representing manufacturing units of ‘reinforced’ paper cups, and non-woven p lastic bags, challenging the…
- M/S Indian Oil Corporation Limited v. V. B. R. Menon
- D. Swamy v. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Ors
- Sridevi Datla v. Union of India and Ors.
- The Director General (Road Development) National Highways Authority of India v. Aam Aadmi Lokmanch & Ors.
- Hanuman Laxman Aroskar v. Union of India
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board v. Sterlite Industries (I) Ltd. & Ors.
- Alaknanda Hydro Power Co. Ltd. v. Anuj Joshi & Ors.
- Suresh Est Ates Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. v. Municipal Corp. of Greater Mumbai & Ors.
- A.P. Pollution Control Board-Ii v. Prof. M.V. Nayudu (Retd.) and Ors.
- Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India
- M.C. Mehta Etc. Etc. v. Union of India and Others Etc. Etc.