| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Vedanta Limited v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. |
| Introduction | Supreme Court dismisses Vedanta’s plea to reopen copper smelting unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin citing repeated breaches and serious violations. |
| Factual Background | Vedanta’s Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tuticorin was closed following orders from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) due to environmental violations. Vedanta challenged the closure in the Madras High Court, which upheld the TNPCB’s decision. Vedanta then filed a Special leave petition in the Supreme Court. |
| Legal Issues | Whether the closure of Vedanta’s copper smelting plant was justified based on environmental violations. |
| Applicable Law | Environmental laws, including the Principle of sustainable development, the Polluter pays principle, and the Public trust doctrine. |
| Analysis | The Supreme Court affirmed the closure of the plant, stating that the repeated nature and severity of the violations justified the decision. The court also noted the importance of protecting the health and welfare of the local community. |
| Conclusion | The Supreme Court dismissed Vedanta’s plea, upholding the Madras High Court’s decision to close the copper smelting plant. |
| Current Scenario | The copper smelting plant remains closed, and there is ongoing discussion about the potential appointment of an expert committee to evaluate the conditions for reopening the plant. |
CASE SUMMARY: The Supreme Court dismissed Vedanta’s plea to reopen its Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, citing repeated breaches and serious violations. The court upheld the closure of the plant by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, emphasizing the need to protect the health and welfare of the local community. Despite Vedanta’s arguments, the court affirmed the principles of sustainable development, the polluter pays principle, and the public trust doctrine. The closure of the plant remains in effect, and there is ongoing discussion about the potential appointment of an expert committee to evaluate the conditions for reopening.
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