In a major decision, the Madurai Bench of the High Court of Madras has ordered that ‘status quo’ ought to continue for the time being on the volatile Tuticorin-based Sterlite Industries issue.
 
People in Tuticorin and surrounding localities revolted in a big manner early this year and held relay protests for more than 100 days against the functioning of the copper-manufacturing Sterlite Industries saying it polluted the environment badly, making people suffer from various diseases.  The protests ended after police opened unprovoked firing, killing 13 protesters.  The State Govt. ordered closure of the plant, bowing to public protests and popular demand.
 
Vedanta Group, which runs the plant which has been in existence for the past 22 years, filed a suit with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asking it to review the Govt.’s decision to close down its plant.  In a surprise order, the NGT allowed last week for the reopening of the plant, thus sending the protests and the people alike in a state of shock.  It also directed the State Govt. to resume power supply to the plant.
 
Prof. Fatima Babu had moved the Madurai Bench of the High Court of Madras stating that the NGT’s decision was ‘out’ in internet even before the NGT issued its order and pleaded for scrapping the NGT’s order.  Taking up the case, the Madurai High Court ordered that ‘status quo’ would continue in respect of closure of the plant and asked the concerned parties to respond to the petition of the professor.