Court orders Vedanta to not reopen copper smelter for at least a month - petitioner

By Sudarshan Varadhan

MADURAI (Reuters) - An Indian court on Friday said Vedanta cannot reopen its copper smelter in Tamil Nadu until it hears an case challenging a verdict by the country's environment court in favour of the conglomerate.

The smelter was ordered shut by Tamil Nadu over alleged pollution that led to violent protests in May, which culminated in police opening fire on demonstrators and killing 13.

The case was filed in the Madras High Court by anti-Vedanta campaigner Fatima Babu, challenging a decision by the national green tribunal which set aside the state government's order.

In her petition, Fatima accused the court of not giving some of the petitioners a chance to be heard.

Vedanta will appeal to the Supreme Court to ask the tribunal's order to be implemented, the company said in a statement.

The case will be heard on Jan. 21, Fatima said.

(Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Keith Weir and Louise Heavens)