Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to verify three legal/procedural characteristics of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), India's specialized environmental court.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Statement A: The NGT was indeed established in October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. Its mandate is the specialized and rapid disposal of environmental disputes, ensuring that cases are settled within 6 months. This is correct.
• Statement B: One of the unique features of the NGT is that it is not strictly bound by the complex and often lengthy rules of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), 1908. This allows the tribunal more flexibility in handling scientific and technical environmental evidence. This is correct.
• Statement C: Instead of the CPC, the tribunal is mandated to be guided by the "Principles of Natural Justice." This ensures fairness and the right to a hearing while avoiding legal technicalities that could delay environmental justice. This is also correct.
• Furthermore, the NGT is tasked with applying principles such as the "Precautionary Principle," the "Polluter Pays Principle," and "Sustainable Development."
• Since all three statements accurately reflect the legislative and procedural framework of the NGT, the correct choice is A, B, and C.
Step 3: Final Answer:
All statements A, B, and C about the National Green Tribunal are correct.