HC says TN can challenge Centre's report vis-a-vis Sterlite

The Madras High Court Monday disposed of a Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking quashing of the Centre's groundwater quality report that declined to pin the blame only on Sterlite's copper unit, now closed, for pollution, saying that the state may challenge it as per law.

A division bench comprising justices M M Sundresh and Krishnan Ramasamy said it was not inclined to get into the merits of the case or express any opinion.

Earlier, it recorded Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan's submission that as per Article 131 of the Constitution, the report could be challenged only in the Supreme Court.

The bench disposed of the petition noting "it is for the state to accept or disregard the report. We do not want to go into the merits of the case and express any opinion. It is open to the state to question the report in the manner known to law. Disposed of."