Arun Jaitley Memorial

MOOT COURT
COMPETITION-2025
November 14-16, 2025

EXCLUSIVE KNOWLEDGE PARTNER: SCC ONLINE

EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PARTNER: SCC TIMES

Organised by School of Law, ITM University Gwalior

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY I. ELIGIBILITY
‘ITM University-Gwalior’ is established by the Act of State Legislature, • Students enrolled in a full-time 3-year LLB or 5-year LLB
M.P. and is notified in the Official Gazette (extra-ordinary) of the State programme at a University, college and institutions that have been
Government after having received the assent of His Excellency Governor approved by the Bar Council of India are eligible to register in this
of M.P. who will be the Visitor of ITM University. “ITM University- competition.
Gwalior” is sponsored by Samta Lok Sansthan, a registered charitable • In accordance with the rules, the organizing committee will accept
Trust. The Trust is successfully running various Institutions in discipline registrations on a First-Come, First-Serve basis.
of Engineering, Technology, Life Science, Computer Applications,
Management, Nursing & Education etc for last 15 years enjoying the top II. GENERAL RULES REGARDING REGISTRATION
ranking in the State & the Region. The flagship Institutions under ITM • The teams are required to show their interest by filling out the form
Group of Institution (known as ‘ITM Universe’ – brand name) like Institute through registration link by15th October 2025.
of Technology & Management (ITM) & Institute of Allied Science and • There is no Bar if multiple teams are registering from same
Computer Applications (IASCA) at Gwalior are NBA & NAAC accredited college.
respectively. • A registering team shall consist 2 mooters and 1 researcher. After
registration, any modifications to the team detail form must be
properly communicated to the organizing committee by email.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL Additionally, changes made during the competition will not be
School of Law, ITM University Gwalior is organizing its flagship accepted.
ITMU Moot Court Competition (ITMUMCC) from 14th November • Participating team must submit a participation fee of 3600/-
2025 to 16th November 2025. The competition is being conducted to rupees without accommodation.
provide mooting experience to law students all over India and thereby • Participants must follow all the rules outlined above and failure to
broadening the legal knowledge. It will furnish a platform to the law do so may result in the cancellation of their registration and any
students across the nation to enhance their skills and application of subsequent claims relating to this will not be entertained.
law with indomitable spirit. It aims to strengthens oratory skills and • Accommodation shall be opted by the participants. Participants
can also negotiate for the charges. Here is the list of hotels for
continuous evolution of mannerism of court in a law student.
convenience of participants:
• Hotel Raddison: 0751 7105555
ABOUT THE MOOT COURT COMPETITION • Hotel Landmark: 0751 4011271
School of Law, ITM University Gwalior is organizing its flagship ITMU • Hotel Sita Manor: 0751 4010485
Moot Court Competition (ITMUMCC) from 14th November 2025 to 16th • Hotel Down Town: +91 7947426757
November 2025. The competition is being conducted to provide mooting • Satkar Guest House: +91 92291 94584
experience to law students all over India and thereby broadening the legal • Payment options will also be available on registration link.
knowledge. It will furnish a platform to the law students across the nation https://onlineapply.itmuniversity.ac.in/events/Moot_Court.php
to enhance their skills and application of law with indomitable spirit. It
aims to strengthens oratory skills and continuous evolution of mannerism III. GENERAL RULES REGARDING REGISTRATION
of court in a law student. • The Moot Court Committee school of law, ITM University, Gwalior
shall serve as final arbitrator for implementation of these rules.
• The Organising Committee reserves the right to modify any of the
competition rules at any point of time. The organising committee
shall communicate any changes made in the competition rules to
the teams.
• The Organising Committee reserves the right to take decisions
INVITATION on any matter not mentioned in the competition rules. Any such
decisions taken by the Organising Committee shall be final and
Greetings from ITMU School of Law! binding
It gives us immense pleasure to announce that ITMU School of Law • The Organising Committee reserves the right to interpret any
(ITMUSOL), Gwalior is gearing up to organize its flagship ITMU Moot Court competition rules. Such interpretation shall be final and binding.
Competition 2025 (ITMUMCC-2025) from 14th-16th November 2025. The
institution aims to nurture and train young minds in honing the skills of
legal research and persuasive arguments in the guise of an advocate in
IMPORTANT DATES
courtroom ambience and experience. The competition shall be an ideal
forum to bring together some of the most creative and intellectual young List of Events Date
minds from various law schools in the country to participate and witness
Last date for final registration and 15th October 2025
their mastery of advocacy and research skills to be adjudged by a team
payment of fee
of expert judges, advocates and learned luminaries in the field of law.
The Moot Court problem has been prepared by continuous synthesis and Deadline for queries related to moot 17th October 2025
to check the students’ depth of understanding of legal principles and legal problem
reasoning along with courtroom behaviour. Release of clarification 20th October 2025
On behalf of the entire fraternity of ITMU, we cordially invite participants
from various esteemed institutions of our country to take part in the Last date for memorial submission (Soft 9th November 2025
competition and cherish the memories and experience in all their Copy)
endeavours. We look forward to your presence and participation in the Draw of Lots (Online) 12th November 2025
Musical City of India and the Green and Smart Campus – ITMU SOL,
Gwalior. Memorial Exchange (Online) 13th November 2025
Let us relish the feast of learning together. Researcher’s Test 14th November 2025
For any queries, you shall reach us at:
2 Preliminary Rounds 15th November 2025
Moot Court Society Quarter-Final Round 15th November 2025
ITMU School of Law Semi-Finals 16th November 2025
Final Round 16th November 2025
Valedictory Ceremony 16th November 2025
AWARDS qualify for the quarter-final round. In case of a tie, the team with
The winners will be awarded a Trophy along with Cash Prize the highest marks in the memorial shall qualify for the Quarter-final
and Certificate of Merit. Every participant will be awarded with round.
a Certificate of Participation and one month access to the SCC ❖ Any Compendium that the Team seeks to rely on shall be submitted
to the courtroom manager/timekeeper prior to such Oral Pleading
Online Web Edition to all Participants worth Rs. 1099 each.
Session. Such Compendium must be spiral bound, and must
contain a cover page specifying the Team Code. The courtroom
WINNERS 51,000 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit manager/ timekeeper shall provide such Compendium to the Bench
RUNNERS-UP 21,000 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit at its discretion.
BEST MEMORIAL 7000 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit
V. QUARTER FINAL ROUND
BEST ORATOR 7,000 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit
• Eight teams with the highest score in the Preliminary rounds shall
BEST RESEARCHER 7,000 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit qualify for the quarterfinal round.
• The participants shall argue for any one side, which shall be decided
VENUE: on the basis of draw of lots.
School of Law, Ramanujan Block, Sithouli Campus, ITM University, • The quarterfinal round shall be Knock-out Rounds.
Gwalior • The time allotted for the quarterfinal round shall be as follows-
STRUCTURE OF THE COMPETITION • Each team will get 30 minutes
1. Competition shall consist of: - • Additional 5 minutes for rebuttal to the petitioners.
a. Inaugural ceremony (Day-1) • The division of time between the speakers is at the discretion of the
b. Researcher test (Day-1) teams subject to the maximum of 18 minutes for each speaker. The
same shall be communicated to the court clerk in prior.
c. Preliminary Round (Day-2)
• Extra time allocation will be solely at the discretion of the judges,
d. Quarter final Round (Day-2) subject to the maximum extension of 20 minutes.
e. Semi-Final Round (Day-3) • Only oral round scores shall be considered for evaluation; in case of
f. Final Round (Day-3) tie, the team with the highest score in the memorial shall proceed to
g. Valedictory Ceremony (Day-3) the Semi-Final Round.

I. DATE VI. SEMI-FINAL ROUND

• A draw of lots shall be conducted to determine the pleading side for
The competition shall be held as a Three-Day Event from
the Semi-final round.
14th November- 16th November, 2025 via offline mode.
• The time allotted for the Semi- final round shall be as follows-
• Each team will get 35 minutes
II. COMPOSITION OF TEAM
• Each participating team shall comprise 3 participants viz, 2 speakers • Additional 5 minutes for rebuttal to the petitioners.
and 1 researcher. • The division of time between the speakers is at the discretion of the
• The Participants may change their roles within their Team only with teams.
the prior intimation and approval of the Organizing Committee but in • Extra time allocation will be solely at the discretion of the judge but
no case later than the final submission of memorial. shall not exceed more than 30 minutes The other rules shall remain
the same as in the Quarter final rounds.
III. RESEARCHER’S TEST
• Researcher’s test will be conducted on 14th November 2025. VII. FINAL ROUND
• The two highest scoring teams from the Semi-final round will
• The participant, who is registered as the researcher, shall only be
advance to the Final round. The teams shall argue only from one
allowed to participate in the Researcher’s test.
side which will be decided based on Draw of Lots.
• The score of the researcher’s test shall not be considered for the
• The time allotted for the Final round shall be as follows-
overall total score of the participants. It shall be considered only for
selecting the Best Researcher. • Each team will get 35 minutes
• Additional 5 minutes for rebuttal to the petitioners.
IV. PRELIMINARY ROUNDS • The division of time between the speakers is at the discretion of the
teams subject to a limit of 12 minutes max.
• Pairing of teams shall be done via draw of lots on 12th November,
2025 in online mode. • Extra time allocation will be solely at the discretion of the judges.
• Exchange of memorial shall also be done in online mode on
13th November, 2025 for preliminary rounds. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR ORAL PLEADINGS
• Each team shall argue for both the sides in the Preliminary Rounds Maximum scores for the oral rounds shall be 100 points per speaker. The
where each team will represent either the Petitioner/Appellant or the oral rounds shall be judged on the basis of following criteria:
Respondent side.
• Each team will face a separate team and a bench in both the Knowledge of Law 20 marks
Preliminary Rounds. Application of Legal Principles & Interpretation 20 marks
• The time allotted for the Preliminary Round will be as follows: Ingenuity and Ability to Answer the Questions of 15 marks
• Each team will get 20 minutes. The Court
• Additional 5 minutes for rebuttal. Presentation and Argumentative Skills 15 marks
• The division of time between the speakers is at the discretion of the Use of Authorities and Precedents 10 marks
teams subject to the maximum of 12 minutes for each speaker. The
same shall be communicated to the court clerk in prior. Effective Rebuttals 10 marks
• Extra time allocation will be solely at the discretion of the judges, Style Confidence Courtesy Demeanour 5 marks
subject to the maximum extension of 20 minutes.
Time Management and Organization 5 marks
• Teams with the highest score in the preliminary rounds 1 & 2 shall
Total Marks 100 marks
GUIDELINES FOR THE MEMORIAL II. FORMATTING AND CITATIONS
• Each team shall prepare a memorial for both sides (Petitioner/ • FONT SIZE 14 (Headings), 12 (Main text, Header, Footer), 10
Appellant/Respondent) in English Only. (Footnotes)
• The teams must mail a soft copy of their memorials of both • LINE SPACING 1.5 (Main text, Header and Footer)
sides (Petitioner/Appellant and Respondent) in World & PDF • FOOTNOTES Single spacing between lines, Double spacing
in Both Format for evaluation through submission within between two footnotes MARGIN 1 inch on all the sides of each
prescribed time without fail. page
• The file names of the electronic copies of the Memorials must • BODY OF TEXT Justified
contain only the team code and the side being represented • NO. OF PAGES 30 pages (maximum) inclusive of cover page
in the following format: e.g. (for Team Code AJNMC 12) • PAGE NUMBER Bottom center
514P/514A and 514R, “P/A” being for “Petitioner/Appellant” • CITATION Blue Book 21st Edition
Memorial and “R” for “Respondent” Memorial.
• The team shall submit 4 copies of the memorial of each side at III. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR MEMORIAL
registration desk on Day 1 of the event. • The maximum scores for the memorials shall be 100 marks.
• The participants are required to bring a copy of the Memorial The memorials shall be evaluated on the following criteria:
for their own reference.
• The participants are also required to bring two (2) copies of the Knowledge of Law and Fact 30 marks
Compendium for the judges and their own reference. Proper and articulate analysis 20 marks
• The team should adhere to the Plagiarism rule of maximum
Extent of Research 20 marks
20%.
• The memorial must be submitted with the list of contents given Organization and Presentation 10 marks
below: Clarity of Thought and Originality 10 marks
• Cover page Grammar and Style 10 marks
• List of Abbreviations Total Marks 100 marks
• Table of contents
• Index of Authorities
• Statement of Jurisdiction For inquiries, please contact:
• Statement of Facts Mootcourt@itmuniversity.ac.in
Convenor: Mr. Hradyesh Chaturvedi (Asst. Professor, School of Law)
• Statement of Issues
Email: hradyeshchaturvedi.law@itmuniversity.ac.in
• Summary of Arguments Phone: 7415813095
• Arguments Advanced
• Prayer Co-Convenor: Mr. Devvrat Singh Chauhan (Asst. Professor, School of
• In the memorial or during the oral arguments, teams are not Law)
permitted to mention their names, the name of the institution or Email: devvrat.law@itmuniversity.ac.in
the name of any participant(s). Phone: 7869387169

Co- Convenor: Ms. Ritansha Singhal (Asst. Professor, School of Law)

I. COVER PAGE Email: ritansha.law@itmuniversity.ac.in
• The cover page of the Petitioner/Appellant Memorial should be Phone: 8964961031
Blue colour in A4 size sheet only.
• the cover page of the Respondent’s Memorial should be Red Student Committee
colour in A4 size sheet only. Anas Khan (Coordinator)
• The cover page of the Memorial should clearly specify the Phone: +91 7073802236
representing side.
Amisha Shalini Ekka (Co-Coordinator)
• The cover page of the memorial must have the following Phone: +91 8889295142
contents:
• Name of the Court Vishwas Tiwari (Co-Coordinator)
• Case Title Phone: +91 9109883888
• The Side of the Memorial
• Team Code (To be written on the top right corner) Rahul Jain, Dhruvika Rathore, Sneha Arora, Yashi Gautam
 MOOT PROBLEM
1. Background Facts environmentalimpactstated in its report that large-scale
1.1 Introduction to the Dispute mining activities could lead to groundwater depletion,
The present dispute concerns the contentious grant of contamination of surface water sources, and deteriorating
Environmental Clearance (EC) for a coal mining project in air quality due to emissions and dust pollution. Studies
the State of Dakshin Pradesh, located in the Republic of further suggest increased respiratory illnesses among the
Bharatvarsha. At the center of the controversy is a vast local communitiesdue to prolonged exposure to polluted air.
coal block in Chandrakhet district, spanning approximately
2,580 hectares and encompassing over 14 tribal-dominated 1.3 The Public Hearing and Initial Grant of Environmental
villages in the Tamashgarh block. The region falls under a Clearance (EC)
Fifth Schedule area, which provides special Constitutional Under the statutory framework, an Environmental Impact
protections to indigenous communities under Article 244, Assessment (EIA) Report must be prepared before any
read with Schedule V of the Constitution of Bharatvarsha. large-scale industrial or mining project can proceed. A
Dakshin Pradesh faces a severe power shortage, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is also required to evaluate
necessitating the purchase of electricity and coal from other the impact on local communities before acquiring forest
States, which imposes a significant financial burden on the land.
State. This economic strain, in turn, hampers development As part of the Environmental Clearance (EC) process, a
efforts, particularly in remote regions. According to public hearing was conducted on 15th September 2019
government estimates, the proposed mining project is in Dorlapur village. However, several complaints were
expected to meet at least one-third of the State’s coal raised regarding the conduct of the hearing. Villagers
requirements, reducing dependence on external sources alleged that the process was manipulated to favor project
and enhancing energy security. supporters while dissenting voices were systematically
The coal block in question was allocated to the Dakshin excluded. The authorities reportedly ignored concerns
Pradesh State Energy Corporation (DPSEC) as part of the raised by environmental activists and local representatives.
government’s broader initiative to boost energy production Furthermore, the minutes of the hearing were allegedly
and ensure fuel security. However, instead of directly misrepresented, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of the
operating the mine, DPSEC entered into a contractual community’s response in the final EC application.
agreement with M/s Varuna Coal Ltd., a subsidiary of the Despite these allegations, the Ministry of Environment,
Amrita Group, appointing it as the Mine Developer and Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted Environmental
Operator (MDO). Clearance (EC) to M/s Varuna Coal Ltd. in January 2020,
While the government and corporate stakeholders have thereby authorizing the commencement of mining activities
promoted the project as a significant step toward economic in the region.
growth, it has faced strong opposition from environmental
activists, tribal communities, and local residents. Critics argue 1.4 Challenge before the National Green Tribunal (NGT)
that the project threatens biodiversity, risks the depletion of In response to the Environmental Clearance (EC), a
natural resources, and could lead to the displacement of petition was filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT),
thousands of indigenous families. Furthermore, they claim Bharatvarsha by People for Ecological Justice, a non-profit
that the project was advanced without adequate compliance organization advocating environmental sustainability. The
with environmental laws and constitutional safeguards, petitioners contended that the EC was issued without fair
raising serious legal and ethical concerns. public consultation and violated established environmental
norms.
1.2 Environmental and Social Impact of the Project They argued that the Environmental Impact Assessment
The Chandrakhet coal mine is located near the Surajvan (EIA) Report had failed to comprehensively address
Reserved Forest, an ecologically sensitive area known for critical environmental concerns, including deforestation,
its dense vegetation, diverse wildlife, and essential water groundwater depletion, and air pollution, and that the
bodies that support both flora and fauna. The region serves cumulative environmental impact of the project had not been
as a habitat for endangered species such as the shadow adequately assessed. Additionally, they claimed that the
panther, dusk bear, and Varuna giant squirrel, and forms a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Report had not adequately
crucial elephant migration corridor. evaluated the displacement of over 2,000 families and the
The area is also home to indigenous communities, including consequent loss of their traditional livelihoods. The public
the Gahara and Baindar tribes, who have lived in harmony hearing held in September 2019 was also challenged because
with the forest for generations. Their livelihoods rely on it was manipulated, as several legitimate stakeholders were
subsistence agriculture, non-timber forest products, excluded, thereby violating the principles of free, prior, and
and traditional handicrafts, all deeply connected to the informed consent. Furthermore, an expert committee’s
surrounding environment. The proposed mining operations report highlighted the project’s irreversible ecological
threaten to displace over 2,245 families, severing their damage, including the threat to biodiversity, disruption of
cultural and economic ties to their ancestral land. wildlife corridors, and depletion of groundwater resources.
The Independent Expert Committee working on However, these concerns were disregarded during the
decision-making process. before granting any new clearance.
After extensive deliberation, the NGT ruled in favor of Additionally, the petition raises serious concerns over
the petitioners on 10th January 2024, quashing the regulatory failure and undue corporate influence, asserting
Environmental Clearance granted to M/s Varuna Coal Ltd. that the reissued EC undermines the rule of law and
The court directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest, weakens environmental governance in Bharatvarsha. The
and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to conduct a fresh public Supreme Court is now set to hear the matter and determine
consultation and environmental impact assessment before the legality and constitutional validity of the reissued EC.
reconsidering the grant of Environmental Clearance. This decision is expected to have significant implications for
environmental policy and tribal rights in the country.
1.5 Reissuance of Environmental Clearance after the NGT
Order Issues for Consideration
Following the National Green Tribunal (NGT)ruling, the 1. Whether the reissuance of Environmental Clearance to
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change M/s Varuna Coal Ltd. violates the fundamental rights of
(MoEFCC) reissued Environmental Clearance (EC) on the tribal communities under Articles 14 and 21 of the
5th August 2024, seven months after the previous EC Constitution of Bharatvarsha.
had been quashed. A fresh Social Impact Assessment 2. Whether the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and
(SIA) was conducted for the affected villages as part of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) conducted for the project
the reconsideration process. However, the public hearing comply with statutory requirements under environmental
was scheduled during a local festival, leading to lower laws.
participation from some community members. Additionally, 3. Whether the decision of the MoEF&CC to reissue
the hearing was announced with only a seven-day notice Environmental Clearance despite the adverse findings of
period, raising concerns about whether all stakeholders had the NGT amount to an arbitrary and mala fide exercise of
a fair opportunity to engage in the process. power.
A new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was also Note:
undertaken to evaluate the potential effects of the project The laws in this Moot Problem are pari materia to Indian
on natural resources. The reissued EC included provisions laws. students may frame additional issues.
for compensatory afforestation, mandating the planting
of an equivalent number of trees in nearby areas to offset Annexure
deforestation. Furthermore, affected families were promised Excerpt from the Independent Expert Committee Report
alternative land within the State, along with an assurance The proposed coal mining project in Chandrakhet district
that one adult member from each displaced household will cause irreversible environmental degradation within the
would be offered employment in the project. Surajvan Reserved Forest, a region of profound ecological
The reissuance of the EC has triggered debates among significance. The extensive deforestation and excavation
environmental groups and local communities, particularly activities intrinsic to the project will precipitate the acute
concerning the implementation of mitigation measures. depletion of groundwater reserves and contaminate surface
While the compensatory afforestation plan outlines water bodies, thereby imperiling aquatic ecosystems and
tree-planting initiatives, further clarity is awaited on the potable water accessibility for dependent communities.
program's specific locations and long-term ecological The resultant emission of noxious pollutants from mining
impact. Similarly, the relocation and employment provisions operations will lead to a substantial deterioration of ambient
have been highlighted as steps toward supporting displaced air quality, exacerbating the incidence of respiratory
families, but concerns remain regarding their practical afflictions and environmental morbidity.
execution and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the adverse ramifications on indigenous
communities have been egregiously underestimated. The
1.6 Filing of the Public Interest Litigation before the proposed displacement will effectuate a wholesale severance
Supreme Court of cultural, economic, and territorial continuity, subjecting
Aggrieved by the actions of the Ministry of Environment, affected populations to irretrievable dispossession and
Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), People for Ecological livelihood disintegration. The purported rehabilitation
Justice, along with representatives of the affected tribal measures are manifestly inadequate, failing to substantively
communities, have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) address the restoration of socio-economic autonomy for the
before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Bharatvarsha. displaced populace.
The petitioners contend that the reissuance of Environmental In light of these concerns, the Committee unequivocally
Clearance (EC) violates fundamental rights under Articles recommends a rigorous re-evaluation of the project and
14 and 21 of the Constitution by depriving the affected asserts that no subsequent clearance should be granted
communities of their right to a clean environment, health, unless environmental and social considerations are
and livelihood. They further argue that the MoEFCC’s comprehensively redressed through a process ensuring
actions amount to contempt of the National Green Tribunal transparency, due diligence, and participatory equity.
(NGT)order, which had explicitly mandated a fresh and
independent evaluation of environmental and social impacts