The closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper Plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, has been upheld by the Supreme Court in a decision delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The verdict, which affirms the Madras High Court's 2020 order supporting the plant's shutdown, comes on the grounds of environmental violations and the suppression of critical information. 

In this significant legal development, Vedanta Limited's appeal against the closure faced rejection from the highest court, which underscored the severity of the violations and the necessity to uphold principles of sustainable development and the public trust doctrine.

The Chief Justice, during the proceedings, made it clear that while the closure of industrial facilities is not the preferred course of action, the established facts and the nature of the violations left no room for an alternative view by either the statutory authority or the High Court. 

Despite acknowledging the contributions of the Sterlite Copper Plant to employment and revenue generation in the region, the court emphasized the need to strike a balance with environmental conservation and public health concerns.

Persistent violations by Vedanta, dating back to 2013, were highlighted by the Supreme Court, pointing to instances of groundwater pollution, leaks of sulfur dioxide, and other environmental breaches. The court noted that despite earlier adjudications, Vedanta continued to flout regulations, leading to the closure order.

Representatives of the State of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) argued during the hearings that the 2018 permanent closure order was justified due to Vedanta's repeated violations, causing groundwater pollution and improper waste disposal. 

Vedanta, in response, maintained that the cited grounds for closure were without merit and asserted compliance with all required permits and regulations.

However, the court found Vedanta's arguments unconvincing, pointing out that the company had expressly consented to the High Court examining all aspects of the matter, including the renewal of permissions. This, according to the court, empowered the High Court to scrutinize both closure and renewal aspects, rendering Vedanta's jurisdictional objections untenable.

In delivering its verdict, the Supreme Court underscored the importance of accountability and adherence to environmental norms, asserting that closure was the last resort after all other remediation options had been explored. 

The judgment serves as a significant precedent, reinforcing the imperative for industries to prioritize environmental sustainability and adhere to regulatory frameworks, lest they face severe legal consequences.