Our Team
Structured, application-focused programs designed to build expertise in ESG, sustainability, and environmental law.
Shri M.C. Mehta
Patron
Advocate Mahesh Chander Mehta is a distinguished advocate who has dedicated his career to public interest litigation. His advocacy for environmental justice, especially in high-profile cases concerning pollution and industrial regulation, has earned him international recognition. His leadership and expertise continue to drive significant changes in environmental policy and legal compliance worldwide. For his immense contribution to environmental law he has received a number of awards and accolades, such as the Padma Shri, Magsaysay Award and the UNEP Global 500 Award, to name a few.
Notable Cases
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1985)
Oleum Gas Leak Case
This landmark case led the Supreme Court to establish strict guidelines on the safety of hazardous industries, compelling the closure of unsafe factories and setting up environmental safety measures.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1996)
Ganga Pollution Case
Advocate Mehta’s petition resulted in stringent regulations to control industrial effluents, particularly tannery waste, from polluting the Ganga River.
M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu (1997)
Tannery Pollution Case
This case led to the closure of several polluting tanneries and set the stage for policies around better effluent management in India.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1996)
Taj Mahal Preservation Case
Advocate Mehta’s petition to prevent industrial pollution around the Taj Mahal resulted in significant pollution control orders to protect the monument.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1984)
Lead-Free Gasoline Case
This case led to a ground-breaking shift, mandating the use of lead-free gasoline in India, marking a critical step towards reducing air pollution
Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India (1989)
Groundwater Pollution Case
The Court ordered closure and clean-up of chemical industries polluting groundwater in Bichhri village, reinforcing strict liability for hazardous waste disposal.
Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996)
Tamil Nadu Tanneries Case
This case invoked the Precautionary and Polluter Pays Principles, mandating compensation and better regulation of tanneries causing water pollution in Tamil Nadu.
S. Jagannathan v. Union of India (1997)
Prawn Farming Regulation Case
The Court imposed restrictions on commercial aquaculture in coastal areas to prevent ecological damage, particularly from unregulated shrimp farming.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1992)
Environmental Education Case
The Supreme Court directed inclusion of environmental education as a compulsory subject in schools to promote awareness and sustainable practices.
Dr. Tarini Mehta
Managing Trustee
Dr. Tarini Mehta is an Academician, Advocate and ESG and Climate Risk Specialist, with global expertise in Sustainability, Environmental Compliance, and International Regulations. She is also an AA1000 Certified Sustainability Assurance Practitioner (ACSAP).
Dr. Mehta is the founding partner of Tarini Mehta and Partners, a premier consultancy dedicated to advancing excellence in ESG, Environmental Policy, Climate Risk, and Compliance.
She has also held senior academic roles at O.P. Jindal Global University, as well as advised and worked with institutions such as the UK Focal Point for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Normandy Chair for Peace, and the International Bar Association.
She holds a Doctorate in International Environmental Law from Paсе University (US), an LLM from the University of Cambridge (UK) and LLB from the University of Warwick (UK). Her specialized certifications on Sustainability Assurance from AA1000, Sustainability and Climate Risk from the Global Association of Risk Professionals, Sustainable Finance from Deloitte Singapore, and ESG Risks and Opportunities from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, further reinforce her leadership in sustainability and compliance initiatives.
Nikhil Kawatra
Programme Manager
Nikhil Kawatra is the Programme Manager at the M.C. Mehta Centre for Education and Research, where he manages sustainability, ESG and environmental governance-focused capacity-building and professional development initiatives. His experience spans academia, industry, research and innovation, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to sustainability education.
Previously, Nikhil worked as an academician and Innovation Ambassador, contributing to research, institutional development, industry collaboration and innovation-driven learning. He also gained industry experience with Nestlé India in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance, developing expertise in quality systems, process improvement and operational excellence.
Currently in the advanced stages of his Ph.D. research, Nikhil combines academic rigor with practical experience to support impactful learning initiatives and promote sustainability knowledge among professionals and organizations.
Sagar Raturi
Senior Research Associate
Sagar Raturi is a sustainability and ESG professional with a strong interdisciplinary academic background, holding a B.Tech in Civil Engineering and an M.Tech in Energy and Environment Management, bringing experience in ESG advisory, sustainability reporting, sustainability strategy development, and environmental management. He has worked extensively on developing sustainability frameworks, conducting ESG research, performing materiality assessments, and preparing sustainability disclosures aligned with globally recognized reporting standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), with a focus on enhancing organizational transparency, accountability, and sustainability performance.
His professional experience includes supporting organizations in ESG assessments, data collection and analysis, benchmarking exercises, stakeholder engagement initiatives, sustainability reporting, and the development of ESG strategies and decarbonization roadmaps. He has also contributed to regulatory-aligned disclosures, including Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), helping organizations strengthen their sustainability governance and reporting practices. Sagar holds several recognized professional certifications that strengthen his multidisciplinary sustainability expertise. He is a certified Internal Auditor for ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems) from Bureau Veritas. He is also a certified AA1000 Assurance Provider from AccountAbility, demonstrating expertise in sustainability assurance, stakeholder inclusivity, materiality, and accountability principles. Furthermore, he is an IGBC Accredited Professional (IGBC AP) certified by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), reflecting his knowledge of sustainable building practices and green infrastructure standards.