Supreme Court Seeks Clarification on SHANTI Act Compensation and AERB Appointments
· India · The Hindu, Indian Express
In New Delhi, the Supreme Court asked the Centre whether courts can still grant fair and just compensation when the SHANTI Act caps liability at ₹3,000 crore after a nuclear accident. The bench—Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana—also questioned a potential conflict of interest in appointing Atomic Energy Regulatory Body (AERB) members through a panel formed by the Atomic Energy Commission. The case was filed by a group of scientists and academics led by former bureaucrat EAS Sarma, who argued that the Act violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The bench noted that Parliament’s liability cap does not preclude courts from awarding fair compensation, but requested clarification on appointment procedures and conflict of interest. The SHANTI Act replaces the 2010 civil liability law, allowing private companies to build civil nuclear plants while limiting their liability.
Why it matters
The ruling may determine whether victims of a nuclear incident in India can receive compensation beyond the statutory cap and whether regulatory appointments remain impartial. It also affects investor confidence and safety standards for future nuclear projects.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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