SC adjourns hearing on challenge to new nuclear power law
India's Supreme Court briefly heard a challenge to the new SHANTI Act, which sets fresh rules for nuclear power, on February 27, 2026, and adjourned it for further consideration.
Petitioners, including former official EAS Sarma, worry the law weakens public safety by capping liability for nuclear accidents and replacing older protections.
Highlights of the SHANTI Act
The SHANTI Act lets private companies run nuclear plants and limits their accident payouts to ₹100-3,000 crore—tiny compared to disasters like Fukushima.
Critics also point out that the law removes supplier accountability and exempts some info from RTI, raising transparency concerns.
The government says these changes are needed for energy security and investment, but many fear it could put people at risk if something goes wrong.