Court denies Vedanta's request to reopen copper smelter

India’s National Green Tribunal did not accept Vedanta’s request to reopen the smelter on an interim basis.Vedanta has also sought a permanent injunction against the Tamil Nadu state government from interfering with the operations of its copper smelter. The Tamil Nadu government ordered the permanent closure of the plant and disconnected its power supply in May following protests that turned violent and culminated in the police opening fire on protesters, killing 13 of them. The protesters had demanded a permanent shutdown of the plant, which they said was causing air and water pollution, and as a risk to fisheries. Vedanta says the protests were based on false notions. Vedanta Ltd, a subsidiary of billionaire Anil Agarwal-controlled Vedanta Resources, argued that the closure of the smelter was only based on “political considerations and to appease the public protests.