Sterlite Copper Plant at Thoothukudi to remain closed

The Madras High Court on Tuesday (August 18) dismissed the plea filed by Vedanta that challenged the closure of the Sterlite Copper Plant at Thoothukudi.

The petitions filed by Vedanta Sterlite Copper challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s order to shut down the plant was dismissed by the bench comprising Justices TS Sivagnanam and V Bhavani Subbaroyan.

The Court refused declined to accede to the request made by Vedanta’s counsel to maintain status quo for a few weeks.

Justice Sivagnanam orally observed that whatever is the status quo now is going to prevail. He also informed that the judgement which was reserved on January 8, would have been out by March 12 if not for the pandemic.

The dictation of the judgement was done over phone, Justice Sivagnanam told.

He also mentioned that he got the idea from Justice Chandrachud.

In essence, the Sterlite Plant at Thoothukudi will continue to remain closed. Vedanta might now appeal the Madras High Court judgement in the Supreme Court.