SC to set final hearing date in Vedanta's case on Tuticorin Sterlite plant soon

Vedanta Sterlite Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on October 10 stated that the case pertaining to the now closed Sterlite copper smelting plant owned by Vedanta in Tuticorin will be posted for final hearing soon.

While the CJI indicated on October 9 that he has directed the Registrar to allocate two dedicated days for hearing the case, Chandrachud confirmed on Tuesday that it has been listed for final hearing.

In April 2023, the Supreme Court permitted Vedanta to carry out the maintenance work at the closed Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The decision was made based on the report of a high-power Committee (HPC) formed by the Government of Tamil Nadu to inspect the structural and civil safety of the plant.

The HPC inspected the plant in July 2022 and recommended certain maintenance activities be undertaken to upkeep the plant.

On March 6, the additional chief secretary of the state government
wrote to the Tuticorin district collector and asked to proceed with certain upkeep activities such as removing gypsum, maintaining secured landfill facility among others.

The Supreme Court relied on the HPC's report and subsequent communication by the collector and granted permission to Vedanta to carry out the maintenance activities.

Background of the case

In 2018, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the closure of Sterlite Copper, located in coastal Tamil Nadu, which was responsible for producing over 400,000 tonnes of metal ores annually and accounted for 40 percent of India's copper output. The plant employed 5,000 people directly and 25,000 indirectly. The closure came after violent protests against the plant resulted in 13 deaths due to police firing. The government cited the violation of environmental norms as the reason for the closure.

Vedanta, the parent company of Sterlite Copper, challenged the government's decision, and the National Green Tribunal allowed the plant to reopen, finding the closure to be disproportionate. However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision and directed Vedanta to approach the Madras High Court for any interim relief.

Neither the Madras High Court nor the Supreme Court has allowed the plant to reopen. Vedanta has filed a plea seeking periodic access to the plant to carry out essential maintenance work. The company is urgently seeking a hearing, citing the steep deterioration of the plant and its structures.