NGT rejects Vedanta's interim request to reopen its copper smelter: Lawyer

India's environmental court did not allow Vedanta Ltd to reopen its copper smelter in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a lawyer representing the state said on Thursday after a hearing on the matter.

India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) did not accept Vedanta's request to reopen the smelter on an interim basis, V Mowli, a lawyer for the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said outside the court.

Vedanta has also sought a permanent injunction against the Tamil Nadu state government from interfering with the operations of its copper smelter.

The lawyer representing Vedanta in the hearing, Rohini Musa, did not respond to repeated calls requesting comment. A company spokesman for Vedanta confirmed there was a case before the Tribunal but did not comment specifically on Thursday's decision.