Madurai, Dec 21 (UNI) In yet another setback for the United Kingdom-based Vedanta Group's Sterlite Copper Smelter Plant, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government to maintain a 'status quo 'on the plant till an appeal is filed by the State before the Supreme Court.
A Division Bench comprising Justices K.K.Saidharan and P.D.Audikesavalu said that the order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) could be challenged before the Supreme Court , within 90 days from the date of communication of the order or decision.
The provision to Section 22 gives authority to the honourable Supreme Court to entertain an appeal even after the expiry of the period of 90 days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal within the statutory period.
The Division Bench made this observation while hearing a writ petition filed by environmental activist Fathima Babu seeking to quash NGT verdict dismissing Tamil Nadu Government Order to permanently close and seal the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi district.
The Judges said that the State is, therefore, entitled to file an appeal before the Supreme Court on or before March 14, 2019. The State is a party to the writ petition. 'Let the State of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) make a statement before this court, as to whether any decision is taken to file an appeal, the Judges said.
Hence, the status quo as on today, shall be maintained, in the meantime, the Judges said and posted the petition for next hearing on January 21.
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