The Supreme Court has dismissed a review petition filed by Vedanta challenging the closure of its copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, which has been shut since May 2018 due to pollution concerns.
- The plant was closed in 2018 following violent protests over alleged pollution, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people when police opened fire to control the unrest.
- Earlier, on February 29, 2024, the Supreme Court rejected Vedanta’s plea to reopen the plant, emphasizing the health and welfare of local residents as paramount.
Supreme Court’s decision on review plea
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud (retired) and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed the review plea, stating:
“Having perused the review petitions, there is no error apparent on the face of the record. No case for review under Order XLVII Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules 2013 has been established.”
The bench also declined Vedanta’s request for an open court hearing for the review petition.
Impact of the verdict
The dismissal reinforces the court’s stance prioritizing environmental protection and public welfare over industrial operations. The Thoothukudi copper plant, once a key smelting facility for Vedanta, will remain closed, marking a significant setback for the company.
