Chennai: In a big victory for Tamil Nadu government and people who protested against the Sterlite factory, the Madras High Court on Tuesday, upheld the state government’s decision to shut down Sterlite Copper, a unit of Vedanta Limited in Thoothukudi.
A division bench of Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice V Bhavani Subbaroyan, while refusing to allow the reopening of the plant, disposed of the plea filed by Vedanta challenging the closure of Sterlite Copper plant.
The court dismissed the company's plea to resume operation, over two years after it was shut down by the state government for violating environmental norms.
Residents of Tuticorin who are against the copper smelter plant celebrated the court order by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.
Ever since the copper smelter plant was permitted in Tuticorin, people have been protesting against it alleging it to be a polluting industry.
Also read: Sterlite plant: SC refuses to reopen, asks Vedanta to approach HC
The High Court had in January this year reserved its orders on the appeal of Vedanta-owned Sterlite Copper challenging the state government's decision to shut down its copper smelter in Thoothukudi and seeking the reopening of its plant.
In April last year, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition seeking reopening of the Sterlite copper smelting plant for maintenance, calling it "frivolous", however, had granted the liberty to the group to approach the Madras High Court with its plea for reopening.
The apex court had on February 18 set aside a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of December 15, 2018, which had allowed the firm to reopen the plant. It had said the NGT did not have jurisdiction to entertain the appeal against the state government's decision.
Thirteen people were killed last year when police opened fire during a protest against environmental pollution allegedly caused by the plant, after which the plant was closed by the state government.
With inputs from agencies
Also read: SC orders to keep sterlite plant of TN shut
