Piercing The Corporate Veil In Environmental Harm: Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility

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Jagriti Roy, Faculty of Law, ICFAI University, Dehradun.

Dr. Ashish Kr. Singhal, Faculty of Law, ICFAI University, Dehradun.

ABSTRACT

The doctrine of piercing the corporate veil has long served as an equitable remedy to prevent shareholders from exploiting limited liability protections when corporate entities are used to perpetrate fraud or injustice. However, the application of this doctrine in environmental harm cases presents unique challenges that test traditional jurisprudential boundaries. As environmental degradation intensifies and corporate structures become increasingly complex, courts face mounting pressure to adapt corporate veil-piercing principles to address ecological disasters that threaten public health and environmental integrity. This paper examines the historical development of veil-piercing doctrine, analyzes its contemporary application in environmental contexts and proposes a reconceptualization of corporate responsibility that accounts for the distinct nature of environmental harm. Through examination of landmark cases and emerging trends, this research argues that traditional veil-piercing factors inadequately address environmental liability and suggests refined standards that balance corporate limited liability with environmental protection imperatives.

Keywords: corporate veil, environmental harm, liability, corporate responsibility.

250. PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN ENVIRONMENTAL HARM- RETHINKING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPON

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