New Delhi: The Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition filed by Vedanta group firm Sterlite Copper seeking access to its closed smelter plant in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu to carry out maintenance activities. The firm had also challenged in the apex court the Madras High Court’s order which had declined to give an early hearing to their interim application as well as the main petitions, which relate to the Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board order to shut down the plant.
“We are not here to control the high court,” a bench headed by Justice R F Nariman said after which the firm withdrew its plea. The plant was ordered to be shut after 13 people, protesting against the alleged pollution caused due to the plant, died in police firing in May last year. Vendanta has denied the allegations that its plant caused any pollution. The firm, in its plea in the top court, had said that its “intention was solely to preserve its assets” and for such purpose alone, commence repair and maintenance.