India’s Supreme Court has stayed hearing of the case, leveled by environmental groups in Tamil Nadu, against Vedanta-Sterlite’s allegedly highly polluting Tuticorin copper smelter.
Although The Hindu newspaper reports this as a “relief” for Vedanta, V Prakash – the lawyer acting on behalf of the action groups – says the delay will provide the public time to respond to Sterlite’s allegations and claims, and grant a further two weeks for the company to counter.
According to Mr. Prakash, the Supreme Court was unhappy that Sterlite had failed to file relevant reports, criticisng it for only filing favourable reports. The company left out important documents, including reports by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10466.