News Brief
Tamil Nadu: Supreme Court Dismisses Plea To Reopen Vedanta's Thoothukudi Copper Smelting Unit
Sterlite copper smelting unit, Thoothukudi.
On 29 February, 2924, the Supreme Court upheld the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, citing "repeated breaches" and "serious violations."
Vedanta's petition challenging an August 2020 Madras High Court ruling, which affirmed the closure ordered by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), was dismissed by the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The court emphasised principles of sustainable development, the polluters pay principle, and the public trust doctrine. "The closure of industry is undoubtedly not a matter of first choice. However, the repeated nature of breaches, coupled with the severity of the violations, would, in this analysis, allow neither the statutory authorities nor the high court to take any other view unless they were to be oblivious of their plain duty," stated the apex court.
This decision marks a significant development in a long-standing environmental controversy. Local residents had expressed concerns about pollution and health risks associated with the Sterlite plant for years, culminating in violent protests in 2018 that tragically claimed 13 lives.
Following these events, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the plant's closure, a decision subsequently upheld by the Madras High Court.
Despite Vedanta's arguments, the court affirmed the High Court's decision, highlighting multiple findings of facts over which the high court refused to interfere. The Supreme Court also dismissed appeals filed by the TNPCB challenging observations made against it by the Madras High Court regarding its inaction.
"This decision represents a significant development in the ongoing dialogue concerning industrial practices and environmental sustainability in India," the court noted.
Vedanta had argued that the closure was based on insufficient grounds and proposed the formation of an expert committee to assess the situation.
However, the court found these arguments unpersuasive, citing the Madras High Court's comprehensive judgment which detailed the plant's extensive pollution violations.
The Chief Justice pointedly asked, "There are complete violations, Mr. Divan (Vedanta's lawyer). And these are findings of facts by the high court. Why should we interfere?"
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
