The order came on a petition filed by Muthuraman from Tirunelveli. In his petition, he had stated that Sterlite was given permission to operate out of Meelavittan village on the condition

that the plant should inform TNPCB whenever it is taking out industrial waste out of the plant. However, the company has violated the rule and dumped around 3.53 lakh tonnes of industrial

waste into the Uppar river without informing TNPCB or the District Environmental Engineer (DEE), alleged the petitioner.