NALSAR UNIVERSITY UNIVER SITY OF LAW LAW
CASE COMMENTERY ON RYLANDS V. FLETCHER FLET CHER
LAW OF TORTS PROJECT
SUBMITTED BY VEDANT DIKSHIT ROLL NO.:- 2014-71 COURSE: - B.A. LL.B. H!"#.$ I S% SEMESTER
SUBMITTED TO D&. ARUNA B. VENKAT
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CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3 OVERVIEW OF THE CASE..........................................................................................................4 FACT SUMMARY OF THE CASE :......................................................................................................4 HISTORY OF THE CASE:..................................................................................................................5 Court o !"#er$oo% A&&"'e&......................................................................................................5 Court o E()*e+uer..................................................................................................................5 Court o A$$ea%........................................................................................................................5 Hou&e o !or,&........................................................................................................................5 -UDEMENT :................................................................................................................................../ PRIOR TO RY!ANDS V. F!ETCHER CASE :.......................................................................................0 ANA!YSIS......................................................................................................................................1 ESSENTIA!S A ND E!EMENTS DERIVED FROM THE CASE...............................................................1
I. T*ere S*ou%, 2e a Dagerou& T*"g o e&)a$e *")* )a )au&e 6"&)*"e7......................1 II. T*e Dagerou& T*"g Mu&t E&)a$e....................................................................................1 III. It Mu&t 2e A No8Natura% U&e O !a,............................................................................9 IV. T*ere S*ou%, 2e Da6age..................................................................................................9 EVO!UTION OF THE ESSENTIA!S DERIVED FROM CASE...............................................................; EVO!UTION OF STRICT !IA2I!ITY IN INDIA: A FURTHER STEP.....................................................< CONC!USION..............................................................................................................................4
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INTRODUCTION !a o Tort& "& a u8)o,""e, )"#"% %a= "t ,e#e%o$& t*roug* )a&e& t*at )o6e >eore o t*e )ourt. T*e e $r")"$%e& o tort& are geera%%? ,e#e%o$e, >? t*e @u,ge& " t*e )ourt *"%e ,ea%"g "t* )a&e&. For e(a6$%e $r")"$%e o eg%"ge)e *a& >ee ,e#e%o$e, ro6 Donoghue v. Stevenson1 $r")"$%e o u"&a)e ro6 Sturges v. Bridgman2. T*"& $ro)e&& "& Bee$ o go"g &")e t*e #er? >eg""g o )o66o %a &?&te6 " C.E <;; to t*e #er? %ate&t t"6e " 910 *e Su$re6e Court o I,"a ,er"#e, t*e $r")"$%e o a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? ro6 t*e )a&e )a%%e, a& Oleum Gas Leak case3. T*u& "t "& e#",et ro6 t*"& t*at %a o tort "& )ot"uou&%? e#o%#"g a, $r")"$%e& are ,er"#e, >? t*e @u,ge& ro6 t*e )a&e& t*at re+u"re ,"eret B",& o $r")"$%e. Oe &u)* &a6e t*"g *a$$ee, " t*e )a&e )a%%e, a& Ryland v. Fletcher . R()*"+ ,. F)%/& 13 UKHL 1 o$ee, t*e a? or &tr")t %"a>"%"t?. Pr")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? &tate t*at "t "& t*e
%ega% re&$o&">"%"t? o ,ee,at to $a? ,a6age& " *e ou, &tr")t%? %"a>%e e#e t*oug* *e a& ot at t*e au%t or " &"6$%e or, %"a>"%"t? "t*out au%t. 5 I ot*er or,& I a $er&o >r"g& a $otet"a%%? *ar6u% t*"g o *"& %a, a, 6aBe& o atura% u&e o "t a, t*e t*"g "& o &u)* ature t*at o e&)a$e "t 6a? )au&e u"&a)e or ,a6age t*e *e "%% >e *e%, %"a>%e or t*e ,a6age )au&e, ,ue to t*e e&)a$e e#e " *e *a& o au%t " t*e e&)a$e./
Doog*ue # Ste#e&o UH! ;; 93<7.
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Sturge& # 2r",g6a !R 15< 1097.
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M.C. Me*ta #. U"o o I,"a a, Or& SCR 19 9107.
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-o* R?%a,& a, -e*u Horro)B& # T*o6a& F%et)*er UH! 33; 1/17.
5
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Her? Ca6$>e%% 2%a)B 2%a)B& !a D")t"oar?. 4t* e,. We&t Pu>%"&*"g Co. 19.
OVERVIEW OF THE CASE FACT SUMMARY OF THE CASE :
1$ -o* R?%a,& )o&tru)te, a re&er#o"r o %a, rete, ro6 !or, W"%to to &u$$%? ater to *"& &tea68$oere, te(t"%e 6"%%.
2$ T*o6a& F%et)*er u&e& to o$erate 6"e& o ear>? %a, *")* a& a%&o rete, ro6 !or, W"%to F%et)*er e()a#ate, u$ to o%, ,"&u&e, 6"e& *")* ere u,er t*e %a, *ere R?%a,& re&er#o"r a& )o&tru)te,.
$ R?%a,& *"re, ",e$e,et )otra)tor& to )o&tru)t t*e re&er#o"r *")* a& ""&*e, " De)e6>er 1/;.
4$ W*"%e orB"g o t*e )o&tru)t"o &"te t*e )otra)tor& )a6e a)ro&& &o6e o%, 6"e &*at& *")* ere %oo&e%? "%%e, "t* gra#e%& a, &o"%. T*e? ,", ot &ea% t*e&e &*at&. T*e&e &*at& ere "tera%%? "ter)oe)te, to tue%& a, tue%& "a%%? "to t*e F%et)*er& 6"e&.
57 Water ro6 R?%a,& re&er#o"r %oo,e, t*e F%et)*er& 6"e& o De)e6>er 1/; ater )o6$%et"o o t*e re&er#o"r a, ater "t *a, >ee $art"a%%? "%%e,. T*ere *a, >ee o e()e&&"#e ra"& or %o)a% %oo,&.
$ F%et)*er &ue, R?%a,&.
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HISTORY OF THE CASE: C!5&% !6 L,&8!!) A##9# F%et)*er "%e, a )a&e " Court o !"#er$oo% A&&"'e& Su66er Se&&"o7 " 1/. T*e !"#er$oo%
Court )o&",er"g t*e a)t a& tre&$a&& a& e%% a& u"&a)e *e%, R?%a,& %"a>%e a, ,e)",e, " t*e a#our o t*e $%a"t" F%et)*er. R?%a,& &u))e&&u%%? a$$ea%e, " t*e Court o E()*e+uer. C!5&% !6 E/;5& Court o E()*e+uer " 1/5 o#erture, t*e $re#"ou& or,er &a?"g tre&$a&& re+u"re& ,"re)t Hu6a
"#o%#e6et " t*e "#a&"o o u&e o !a, a, "%% "tet a, &")e R?%a,& *a, o "%%8"tet t*ere "& o tre&$a&& "t "& a $r")"$%e t*at #")t"6 >e"g t*e oe to >ear t*e )o&t o t*e a))",et7. F%et)*er a$$ea%e, " t*e Court o A$$ea%. C!5&% !6 A88*) Court o A$$ea% !.R. E(.
Co%" 2%a)B>ur &a", " a $er&o >r"g& o *"& %a,& a, )o%%e)t& a, Bee$& a?t*"g *")* "& >roug*t or *"& u&e a, "& ,agerou& or %"Be%? to ,o 6"&)*"e o e&)a$e& 6u&t >e *e%, !rima "acie a&era>%e or a%% t*e ,a6age )au&e, a& "t& atura% )o&e+ue)e o e&)a$e. Hoe#er t*e $er&o )a >e e()u&e, " t*e $er&o $ro#e& t*at t*ere a& P%a"t"& ,eau%t or A)t o o,. R?%a,& a$$ea%e, to t*e Hou&e o !or,&. H!5# !6 L!&+#
Hou&e o !or,& ,"&6"&&e, t*e a$$ea% a, ga#e ,e)"&"o " t*e a#our o F%et)*er " 1/1 !.R. 3 H.!. 33;7. !or, Ca"r& agree, "t* t*e ru%e ,e%"#ere, >? -u&t")e 2%a)B>ur >ut a,,e, aot*er )o,"t"o o %"a>"%"t? t*at t*e %a, ro6 *ere t*e e&)a$e *a$$ee, 6u&t >e &u>@e)te, to o8 atura% or "a$$ro$r"ate u&e. F%et)*er o t*e )a&e a, got )o6$e&at"o a, R?%a,& a& *e%, &tr")t%? %"a>%e >ut 6ore t*a t*"& t*e 6a@or )otr">ut"o o t*"& )a&e a& t*at "t %e, to t*e ,e#e%o$6et o $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?. <'Page
JUD=EMENT: T*e @u,ge6et o t*"& )a&e %a? ,o& t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? A))or,"g to *")* I a $er&o >r"g& o *"& %a, a, Bee$& t*ere a? ,agerou& t*"g ".e. a t*"g o e&)a$e *")* )ou%, ,o 6"&)*"e *e "%% >e !rima "acie a&era>%e or t*e ,a6age )au&e, >? "t& e&)a$e e#e t*oug* *e *a, ot >ee at au%t.0 T*e $o"t& t*at ere 6a"%? %a", ,o are:8 A $er&o "%% >e &tr")t%? *e%, %"a>%e " . A $er&o >r"g& to *"& %a, a ,agerou& t*"g )a$a>%e o )au&"g u"&a)e o e&)a$e7. <. T*e t*"g >roug*t e&)a$e&. 3. It 6u&t >e o8atura% u&e o %a,.1 4. It &*ou%, )au&e ,a6age. I 994 t*e )%au&e o ,a6age a& rea&oa>%? ore&eea>%e a,,e,.7 T*e )ourt ,e)",e, " a#our o F%et)*er a, or,ere, R?%a,& to $a? or a%% t*e $ro$ert? ,a6age to t*e 6"e. T*e )ourt &a", t*at R?%a,& *a, a ,ut? *"%e 6a"ta""g t*e re&er#o"r a, "& %"a>%e or a%% *ar6 )au&e, ,ue to "t "t* geera% &)o$e o %"a>"%"t? u,er $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a& ,e&)r">e, a>o#e >? -u&t")e 2%a)B>ur " Court o A$$ea% a, !or, Ca"r& " Hou&e o !or,&. A%og "t* $ro#","g t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? t*e )ourt a%&o ga#e e()e$t"o to t*"& ru%e t*at "& $%a"t"& o ,eau%t a, A)t o o, >ut "t* t*e $a&&age o t"6e a, 6ore a, 6ore ,e#e%o$6et o @u,")"ar? #ar"ou& ot*er e()e$t"o& a%&o got a,,e, to "t %"Be P%a"t"& )o&et A)t o t*"r, $art? a, Statutor? aut*or"t?. It "%% >e ,"&)u&&e, " ,eta"% " t*e %ater $art o t*e $ro@e)t.
0 1
2ag"a R.. !a o Tort&G <;t* e,. 310. Har?aa: A%%a*a>a, !a Age)? <;;0.
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PRIOR TO RYLANDS V. FLETCHER CASE : T*e )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher t*oug* a& $at* >reaB"g >ut >eore t*"& )a&e W*e t*ere a& o $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? t*e )a&e& ere ,e)",e, o a ,"eret >a&"&= T*e e(a6"at"o o t*e 6et*o, >? *")* )a&e "#o%#"g 6atter& o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?7 ere ,e)",e, >eore t*e e#o%ut"o o $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? "& a& o%%o Oe &u)* )a&e a& #oughan v $enlove9 t*e ,e)"&"o o )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher 6a"%? re%a?e, #oughan v $enlove. I t*"& )a&e ,ee,at )o&tru)te, a *a?r")B ear *"& %a,& >ou,ar? *")* a%&o >or,ere, t*e $%a"t"& %a,. T*e ,ee,at& u&e, $re)aut"o& to $re#et &$otaeou& "g"t"o >ut "t "g"te, a?a?. Dee,at *a, >ee are, 6a? t"6e& o#er "#e eeB& t*at t*e 6aer " *")* t*e *a? r")B "& >u"%t "& ,agerou&. O oe $art")u%ar ,a? t*e *a? "g"te, a, &$rea, to t*e $%a"t"& %a, a, ,e&tro?e, to o *"& )ottage&. T*e )ourt &a", a%t*oug* t*e ,ee,at& *a& o >a, "tet"o >ut *e ,", ot a)t rea&oa>%? a& a 6a o or,"ar? $ru,e)e ou%, *a#e a)te,. Dee,at a& *e%, !"a>%e u,er Neg%"ge)e. T*oug* t*"& )a&e a& u&e, " Rylands v. Fletcher >ut $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a& e#er e#e )o&",ere,. T*e )a&e "& " $%a)e u&e, u,er t*e $r")"$%e o %a o Neg%"ge)e. Mo&t o t*e )a&e& ere ,e)",e, o t*e >a&"& o eg%"ge)e or tre&$a&& >eore t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? )a6e. T*ere a& o )o)e$t o %"a>"%"t? *e ,a6age a& )au&e, ,ue to e&)a$e o ,agerou& t*"g&. R?%,& # F%et)*er >roug*t t*e )o)e$t o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?G "to $%a? o$e"g a e >ra)* o No8 au%t %"a>"%"t?.
9
Voug*a # Me%o#e 3< ER 49; 1307.
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ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS AND ELEMENTS DERIVED FROM THE CASE
T*e )ourt $re&ete, &o6e e&&et"a% *"%e %a?"g ,o t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?. T*e e&&et"a%& too e#o%#e, t*roug* t*e t"6e a, are "ter$ret ,"eret%? " ,"eret )a&e&. A ,eta"%e, aa%?&"& o e&&et"a% o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a& ,er"#e, >? )ourt " )a&e R?%a, #. F%et)*er a, *o ea)* e&&et"a% e#o%#e, a, a& a$$%"e, to t*e )a&e "& a& o%%o I. T/& S/!5)+ B * D*">&!5# T/"> !" #*8 ?// *" *5# @#/6$ T*"& $r")"$%e "& )a%%e, a& 6o&t >a&") $r")"$%e t*at )a6e out o t*e )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher To
Pro#e t*e &tr")t %"a>"%"t? t*e #er? >a&") ee, "& t*e e("&te)e o a ,agerou& t*"g *")* "& >roug*t >? ,ee,at. T*e 6ea"g o t*e ter6 Dagerou&G )a #ar? >roa,%?. Here t*e ter6 Dagerou&G ,oe& ot 6ere%? &a?& t*"g& o ur"ou& ature.No8r"#o%ou& t*"g& %"Be Water to e(tre6e%? r"#o%ou& t*"g& %"Be F"re E%e)tr")"t? et). )a a%&o >e)o6e , agerou&. T*e ,e""t"o o t*e ter6 Dagerou& &*ou%, >e *e)e u,er&too, a& t*e t*"g& *")* )a )au&e 6"&)*"e o)e e&)a$e,. I Rylands v. Fletcher t*e ,agerou& t*"g a& Water *")* ,ue to "t& %arge +uat"t? >e)a6e )a$a>%e o )au&"g 6"&)*"e *e)e a& ,agerou&. T*e ,agerou& t*"g& )ou%, a%&o >e a&; E%e)tr")"t? No("ou& u6e&< E($%o&"#e&3 V">rat"o&4 et) a& t*e? ere &a", ,agerou& " t*e )a&e& )"te, a, ,ee,at a& *e%, %"a>%e u,er &tr")t %"a>"%"t?. II. T/ D*">&!5# T/"> M5#% E#*8
T*e )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher a%&o %a? ,o t*e $r")"$%e t*at to a$$%? t*e )r"ter"a o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? "t "& re+u"re, t*at t*e ,agerou& t*"g 6u&t e&)a$e. T*u& " a? ,agerou& t*"g e&)a$e& out a, ,ue to "t &o6eoe get& ,a6age t*e oer "%% >e %"a>%e5 >ut " t*e ,agerou& t*"g ,oe&t e&)a$e a, $%a"t" *"6&e% )o6e& to %a, o ,ee,at a, get& ,a6age, >? t*e ;
2at)*e%%er #. Tu>r"ge 14 !T 0/5 9;7.
Nat"oa% Te%e$*oe Co. # 2aBer < C* 1/ 1937.
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We&t #. 2r"&to% Tra6a?& Co. < .2. 4 9;17.
3
T.C. 2a%Br"&*a #. T.R. Su>ra*a6a"a6 A.I.R 5 ere%a 9/17.
4
Hoare Co #. M). A%$"e C*. /0 1937.
5
Cro*ru&t #. A6er&*a6 2ur"a% 2oar, 4 E(. D. 5 1017.
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,agerou& t*"g " &u)* a &)ear"o t*e ,ee,at )aot >e *e%, %"a>%e./ I t*e $r"or )"te, )a&e %ro&hrust v. 'mersham Burial Board t*ere a& $ro@e)t"o o >ra)*e& o a $o"&oou& tree roote, " ,ee,at& %a, o P%a"t"& !a,. P%a"t"& )o ate t*e $o"&oou& %ea#e& ro6 t*e >ra)* a, ,"e,. Here t*e )ourt &a", t*e Pro@e)t"o a%&o a6out& to t*e e&)a$e He)e ,ee,at "& !"a>%e *erea& " t*e ot*er )a&e P%a"t"& *or&e "t&e% etere, t*e ,ee,at& %a, a, ate $o"&oou& %ea#e&. T*e )ourt &a", &")e t*ere "& o e&)a$e ,ee,at "& ot !"a>%e. T*u& e&)a$e o ,agerou& t*"g "& aot*er #er? "6$ortat a &$e)t o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?.
III. I% M5#% B A N!"-N*%5&*) U# O6 L*"+
T*"& a& t*e e&&et"a% t*at a& a,,e, a& a a,,"t"oa% %"6"tat"o >? !or, Ca"r& " t*e @u,ge6et g"#e >? -. 2%a)B>ur. I t*e )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher a))u6u%at"o o &u)* a %arge a6out o Water a& *e%, a& No8Natura% u&e o !a,. ee$"g o ater or ,o6e&t") $ur$o&e ,oe& ot a6out to No8Natura% u&e o %a, a& )ourt &a", " )a&e Richards v. Lothian.1( He)e "t )a >e &a", t*at )o&",er"g t*e a))u6u%at"o o )erta" t*"g& a& Natura% or No8Natura% u&e ,e$e,& u$o t*e #ar"ou& a)tor& &u)* a& Nature1 A6out9 Te6$erature<; et). o t*e a))u6u%ate, t*"g. For e(a6$%e t*"& )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher a6out o ater 6a,e "t o8atura% u&e o !a,. S"6"%ar%? " t*e )a&e Stella Lie)eck v $cDonald*s Restaurants +,S -nc t*e te6$erature o t*e )oee 6a,e "t ar a>o#e t*e or,"ar? te6$erature a, )ourt t*u& aar,e, e(e6$%ar? ,a6age&. IV. T/& S/!5)+ B D*@*>
I Rylands v. Fletcher a& t*e o))urre)e o Da6age a& *e%, e&&et"a%. I )a&e *e t*ere "& o %ega% ,a6age a $er&o )aot *a#e )au&e o a)t"o.< !ater " 994 *"%e ,e)","g t*e )a&e %am)ridge ater %o Ltd case22 t*e )ourt *e%, t*at t*e ,a6age &o )au&e, &*ou%, >e rea&oa>%? ore&eea>%e. T*"& $r")"$%e )ou%, >e a$$%"e, to Rylands v. Fletcher a%&o &")e "t )ou%, >e ore&ee /
Poat"g #. NoaBe& < J.2. <1 9947.
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R")*ar,& #. !ot*"a AC
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Su$ra ote /
9
Su$ra ote 4
<; Ste%%a !"e>e)B # M)Doa%,& Re&taurat& PTS I). M)Doa%,& Iterat"oa% I). E(tra !EKIS <3 9947. <
%ou)*e&ter ra66ar S)*oo% )a&e He 4 4;7
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t*at e&)a$e o &u)* a6out o ater ou%, )au&e ,a6age. I t*e ,a6age *")* )ou%, *a$$e ,ue to e&)a$e "& uore&eea>%e o ,a6age& are $ro#",e, a& " %am)ridge ater %o Ltd v /astern %ounties Leather !lc0 t*ere a& e&)a$e o ,agerou& )*e6")a% ro6 t*e a)tor? >ut t*e ,a6age& t*at Ca6>r",ge Water Co. )ote,e, ere ot ore&eea>%e He)e ,ee,at a& ot *e%, %"a>%e.
EVOLUTION OF THE ESSENTIALS DERIVED FROM CASE W"t* t*e $a&&age o t"6e a, 6ore a, 6ore )a&e& )o6"g " t*e )ourt& t*e e&&et"a%& ,er"#e, ro6 t*e )a&e R?%a, #. F%et)*er e#o%#e, a, #ar"ou& e a&$e)t& a, e()e$t"o& )a6e out o "t. A& ,"&)u&&e, a>o#e *o t*e )%au&e o Rea&oa>%? Fore&eea>%e Da6age got a,,e, a& t*e e&&et"a% " t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? u&"g Ca6>r",ge Water Co !t, # Ea&ter Cout"e& !eat*er $%) a& %a,6arB. S"6"%ar%? t*roug* )a&e& t*e6&e%#e& #ar"ou& e()e$t"o& to t*e ru%e ere a%&o ,e#e%o$e,. T*e )o66o e()e$t"o to t*e ru%e a, t*e"r a$$%")at"o o Rylands v. Fletcher "& a& o%%o: 7 P%a"t"& o ,eau%t <7 A)t o o, 37 Co&et o P%a"t" 47 A)t o T*"r, Part? 57 Statutor? Aut*or"t? P)*"%66# !?" +6*5)% : I t*e P%a"t" &uer& ,a6age ,ue to *"& o au%t t*e ,ee,at )a
u&e t*"& ,ee)e. I +onting v. oakes23 t*e $%a"t"& *or&e etere, t*e ,ee,at %a, a, ,"e, ater eat"g $o"&oou& %ea#e& >ut &")e t*e *or&e *"6&e% etere, a, $%a"t" "& at au%t t*"& ,ee)e a& u&e, >? ,ee,at a, *e a& ot *e%, %"a>%e. I Rylands v. Fletcher t*"& ,ee)e ou%, ot a$$%? >e)au&e t*ere a& o au%t o t*e $art o P%a"t" ".e. F%et)*er. A% !6 =!+: I ,a6age or e&)a$e "& )au&e, ,ue to )"r)u6&ta)e& *")* are >e?o, *u6a
ore&"g*t t*"& ,ee)e o A)t o o, "& u&e, a& u&e, " ichols v. $arsland .<4 I Rylands v. Fletcher t*"& ,ee)e ou%, ot a$$%? >e)au&e t*ere ere o atura% )"r)u6&ta)e& *")* )ou%, %ea, to ,a6age o Re&er#o"r. C!"#"% !6 P)*"%66: I t*e P%a"t" *"6&e% g"#e& )o&et to t*e ,ee,at or e@o? t*e >ee"t&
<<
Ca6>r",ge Water Co !t, # Ea&ter Cout"e& !eat*er $%) A%% E.R. 53 9947.
<3
Pot"g #. NoaBe& < J.2. <1 1497.
<4
N")*o%& #. Mar&%a, < E(. D. 10/7.
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ro6 t*e o8atura% u&e o %a, t*e t*e ,ee,at )a u&e t*"& a& ,ee)e. I %arstair v ,aylor 02 >ot* $er&o ere u&"g ater ro6 &a6e taB ,ue to %eaBage t*e ater ,e&tro?e, t*e goo,& o P%a"t". Dee,at a& ot *e%, gu"%t? &")e $%a"t" a& >ee")"ar? *e)e )o&et a& )o&",ere, "6$%"e,. I Rylands v. Fletcher e"t*er t*e F%et)*er ga#e )o&et or )o&tru)t"o o re&er#o"r or a& a >ee")"ar? o "t *e)e t*"& ,ee)e )ou%, ot *a#e >ee a#a"%e,. A% !6 T/&+ P*&%(: I t*e *ar6 *a& >ee )au&e, >? a t*"r, $er&o *o "& e"t*er ,ee,at
&er#at or t*e ,ee,at *a#e a? )otro% o *"6 a, &u)* *ar6 "& ot ore&eea>%e >? ,ee,at or $er&o egage, t*e t*e ,ee,at )a taBe t*"& ,ee)e. I Bo v. 4u))25 t*e ,ee,at& re&er#o"r o#er%oe, a, )au&e, ,a6age to $%a"t"& $ro$ert?. O#er%o a& ,ue to >%o)Bage o Strea6 ,oe >? &o6e &trager& He)e )ourt a))e$te, t*"& ,ee)e a, *e%, ,ee,at ot %"a>%e. I Rylands v. Fletcher t*oug* t*"& ,ee)e )ou%, >e a$$%"e, &")e orB o )o&tru)t"o a& g"#e to ",e$e,et )otra)tor >ut &")e t*e )otra)tor& ere eg%"ge)e " &ea%"g $"$e& t*e R?%a,& a& *e%, !"a>%e. S%*%5%!&( A5%/!&%(: I t*e ,a6age a& ,oe >? t*e $er&o *o a& ,o"g orB u,er a
&tatute u%e&& *e "& ot eg%"get t*"& ,ee)e )ou%, >e taBe. I Green v. %helsea &ater&orks %o.2( t*e ,ee,at *a, a &tatutor? ,ut? to $ro#",e ater a 6a" $"$e >ur&t out a, ,a6age, $%a"t"& $ro$ert? >ut &")e "t a& a &tatuar? orB ,ee,at "& o *e%, %"a>%e. I Rylands v. Fletcher t*"& ,ee)e )ou%, ot >e taBe &")e t*e re&er#o"r a& )o&tru)te, or t*e $er&oa% >ee"t o ,ee,at ot u,er a? &tatutor? or,er.
<5
Car&ta"r # Ta?%or / !.R <0 107.
2o( #. -u>> 4 E(. D. 0/ 1097.
<0
ree #. C*e%&ea aterorB& Co. 0; !.T. 540 1947.
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EVOLUTION OF STRICT LIABILITY IN INDIA: A FURTHER STEP I,"a Su$re6e )ourt " 910 tooB a &te$ urt*er a, urt*er %e, to t*e ,e#e%o$6et o a e ru%e )a%%e, a& $r")"$%e o A>&o%ute %"a>"%"t?. T*"& ru%e "& ,er"#e, ro6 t*e )a&e $.%. $ehta v. 6nion o" -ndia.27 T*e )a&e a& re%ate, to t*e &$rea, o O%eu6 ga& a, *ar6 )au&e, >? "t. I 910 t*ere a& %eaB o O%eu6 a& ro6 oe o t*e u"t o Sr"ra6 Foo,& a, Fert"%"'er& I,u&tr? " De%*"<9. A& a )o&e+ue)e o t*"& %eaB oe $er&o ,"e, a, &e#era% ere "@ure,. T*e ")",et *a$$ee, ater t*e "a6ou& Bho!al gas tragedy case 038 He)e re&u%te, " %ot o )*ao& " De%*". T*e Su$re6e Court " "t& @u,ge6et &a", t*e ru%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? ,er"#e, ro6 Rylands v. Fletcher " 9t* )etur? a& 6a"%? >a&e, o t*e o8atura% u&e o t*e %a, >ut to,a? " a t"6e *e a%% t*ere "& a *uge ,e#e%o$6et& " &)"e)e a, te)*o%og? &a6e B", o ru%e )a >e "tte, " to,a?& )ote(t. At t*at t"6e t*ere a& o &u)* *uge u)%ear ,e#e%o$6et a, )*e6")a% ",u&tr"e& >ut to,a? t*ere are %ot o ",u&tr"e& a, eter$r"&e& ,ea%"g "t* "*eret%? ,agerou& t*"g& *e)e Su$re6e Court )a6e "t* a a,#a)e, #er&"o o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? )a%%e, a& A>&o%ute %"a>"%"t?. A? eter$r"&e or 6aua)tur"g u"t " "t "& egage, " a *a'ar,ou& or "*eret%? ,agerou& orB t*at )ota"& a $otet"a% t*reat to t*e *ea%t* a, &aet? to t*e $er&o& " t*e ",u&tr? a, re&",et& " t*e &urrou,"g area& t*e t*e eter$r"&e or 6aua)tur"g u"t oe& a a>&o%ute a, "a%"ea>%e ,ut? to t*e6 a, 6u&t >e )aut"ou& t*at ,ue to t*e"r *a'ar,ou& or "*eret%? ,agerou& orB o *ar6 "& )au&e,. T*e eter$r"&e *a& a ,ut? t*at *a'ar,ou& a)t"#"t? t*at "t "& ,o"g 6u&t *a#e t*e *"g*e&t &ta,ar,& o &aet? a, " a? *ar6 re&u%t& ,ue to &u)* a)t"#"t? t*e t*e eter$r"&e or 6aua)tur"g u"t 6u&t >e *e%, a>&o%ute%? %"a>%e to )o6$e&ate or t*e *ar6 )au&e, e#e " t*e eter$r"&e *a& taBe a%% t*e rea&oa>%e )are a, t*e *ar6 *a$$ee, "t*out a? eg%"ge)e o eter$r"&e.3 <1
Su$ra ote 3
<9
M.C. Me*ta #. U"o o I,"a.G A))e&&e, Se$te6>er << <;4. *tt$:LL.%ega%&er#")e","a.)o6Lart")%eL%
3; U"o Car>",e Cor$orat"o #& U"o O I,"a Et) AIR <03 Su$re6e Court o I,"a 99;7. 3 USI o I,"a A Art")%e >? USIG a))e&&e, Se$te6>er << <;4 *tt$:LL.u&"o","a.orgLArt")%eL$u>-oura%$u>o51;ao033. 12 ' P a g e
He)e P&"8) !6 A#!)5% )*)%( &tate& t*at a? eter$r"&e egage, " a? *a'ar,ou& or "*eret%? ,agerou& a)t"#"t? a, " a? ,a6age *a$$e& ,ue to t*at a? *a'ar,ou& or "*eret%? ,agerou& a)t"#"t? t*e t*e eter$r"&e ou%, >e A>&o%ute%? !"a>%e to t*e $er&o ae)te, e#e " a%% rea&oa>%e )are a& taBe a, t*ere a& e"t*er eg%"ge)e or e&)a$e o ,agerou& t*"g. T*e )o6$e&at"o 6u&t a%&o >e ,e)",e, " a))or,a)e "t* t*e )a$a)"t? o eter$r"&e.3< T*e >a&") ,"ere)e >etee &tr")t a, a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? "& t*at to a$$%? &tr")t %"a>"%"t? t*ere 6u&t >e o8atura% u&e o %a, >ut " )a&e o a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? a? eter$r"&e ,o"g a? *a'ar,ou& or "*eret%? ,agerou& orB )a >e *e%, %"a>%e o8atura% u&e o %a, "& "66ater"a%. I &tr")t %"a>"%"t? t*e e&)a$e "& re+u"re, >ut " a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? "t "& "66ater"a% t*at e&)a$e *a$$ee, or ot eter$r"&e "%% >e %"a>%e. T*"& $r")"$%e &aeguar,& t*e r"g*t o orBer& " t*e a)tor?. Aot*er ,"&t")t"o >etee &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a, a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? "& t*at " $r"or t*ere are u6>er o ,ee)e& a#a"%a>%e >ut " %ater o ,ee)e& are a#a"%a>%e 6oreo#er " a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? e(e6$%ar? ,a6age& )ou%, >e aar,e, t*u& >ee"t"g 6ore to #")t"6. He)e t*e )o)e$t o a>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? "& a 6o,er e(te&"o to t*e )o)e$t o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? ,e#e%o$e, t*roug* 9t* )etur? )a&e Rylands v. Fletcher = "t *a& >ee a,o$te, >? 6a? )outr"e& a$art ro6 I,"a %"Be Au&tra%"a33 Caa,a34 et). T*e $r")"$%e o A>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? "& 6u)* 6ore $rogre&&"#e t*a $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t?. It o)u&e& 6ore o >ee"t"g t*e #")t"6. S")e t*e $r")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a& g"#e " 1/1 *e t*ere a& ot &u)* ,e#e%o$e, a, ",u&tr"e& "t a& e)e&&ar? to g"#e a $r")"$%e &o a& to a$$%? "t " 6o,er )ote(t A>&o%ute %"a>"%"t? a& &u)* $r")"$%e g"#e >? Su$re6e Court o I,"a " 910.
3< Sato&* u6ar U$a,*?a? #& M.P.State Agr")u%tura% ... o A$r"% <;;G a))e&&e, Se$te6>er << <;4 *tt$:LL.","aBaoo.orgL,o)L/;304L. 33
,he 'ustralian %riminal %ode 'ct0 199.
34
R. #. C"t? o Sau%t Ste8Mar"e < S.C.R. <99 9017.
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CONCLUSION
Rylands v. Fletcher )a&e a& oe o t*o&e u,a6eta% )a&e& ro6 *")* a? geera% $r")"$%e. Pr")"$%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? "& ,er"#e, ro6 "t. T*oug* "t a& a )a&e ,e)",e, " 191 >ut &t"%% *a& re%e#a)e to,a? a, *a& ot >ee ru%e, out t"%% to,a?. Ca&e " t*e $re&et )ote(t ote u&e& t*"& )a&e a& a $re)e,et e(a6$%e o *")* "& ,"&)u&&e, a>o#e. T*"& ru%e o &tr")t %"a>"%"t? a& urt*er ,e#e%o$e, >? t*e Eg%"&* )ourt& a, t*u& 6a,e a "66e,"ate a, "a%"ea>%e "6$a)t o t*e %a a, t*e @u,")"a% &?&te6. Var"ou& )outr"e& %"Be I,"a Au&tra%"a S)ot%a, a, Caa,a *a& urt*er e#o%#e, t*"& $r")"$%e a, >roug*t "t to e e(te&"o a, $"a)%e. Pr"or to t*e Rylands v Fletcher0 )ourt& u&e to o)u& 6ore o t*e "tet"o >e*", t*e a)t"o& ,oe rat*er t*a t*e ature o t*e a)t "t&e%. Mo&t o t*e )a&e& ere ,e)",e, o t*e >a&"& o eg%"ge)e or tre&$a&&. I )otra&t to "t Rylands v. Fletcher "6$o&e, &tr")t %"a>"%"t? $r")"$%e o t*o&e *o egage " o8atura% u&e o %a, e#e "t*out *a#"g to $ro#e t*e e("&te)e o t*e ,ut? o )are or eg%"ge)e. T*oug* t*"& %"a>"%"t? *e%, a $er&o %"a>%e or t*e au%t or *")* *e *a, o "tet >ut 6ore t*a t*"& "t &aeguar,& t*e r"g*t& o t*e $er&o *o get& ae)te, >? t*e o8atura%G u&e o %a, >? a? $er&o. It a%&o e&ure& t*at $er&o &*ou%, ot >e egage, " o8atura% u&e o %a, a, " *e "& egage, " &o *e &*ou%, >e *e%, %"a>%e or a? ,a6age ,oe ,ue to "t.
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