The Tribunal accepted the IIT Madras study report which found no pollution source linking the Chemplast Sanmar unit to groundwater contamination. Consequently, the original application seeking closure and dismantling of the unit was disposed of.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
Item No.19:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Friday, the 17th day of April, 2026.
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.16 of 2019(SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:
1) K. Gemini (Died)
S/o. Kannupaiyan
Aged about 53 years 5/1-34, Rettaipuliyamaram Raman Nagar Post Mettur Dam, Salem District – 636 403.
2) Mrs. G. Santhal
W/o. K. Gemini Aged about 53 years 5/1-34, Rettaipuliyamaram Raman Nagar Post Mettur Dam, Salem District – 636 403.
3) Mr. G. Poovannan
S/o. K. Gemini Aged about 30 years 5/1-34, Rettaipuliyamaram Raman Nagar Post Mettur Dam, Salem District – 636 403.
(Applicants No.2 & 3 were impleaded as Legal heirs of the 1st Applicant as per order in I.A. No.204 of 2021 (SZ) dated 23.12.2021)
...Applicant(s)
Versus
1) Union of India,
Represented by the Secretary to Government Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change III Floor, Pritvi Wing Indira Paryavaran Bhavan Jor Bagh, New Delhi – 110 003
2) The State of Tamil Nadu
Represented by the Secretary to Government Environment and Forests Department Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
3) The District Environmental Engineer
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Siva Tower, Post Box No.457, No.1/276, Meyyanur Main Road Salem – 636 004.
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4) M/s. Chemplast Sanmar Limited
Represented by its Director S. Ramkumar Veerakkalpudur Village Raman Nagar Post, Mettur Dam, Salem District – 636 403.
...Respondent(s)
For Applicant(s): Ms. Sarada represented Mr. T. Sai Krishnan. For Respondent(s): Mr. G.M. Syed Nurullah Sheriff for R1. Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R2. Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R3. Mr. T. Ravichandran for R4.
CORAM :
HON’BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON’BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
J U D G M E N T
1. Today, the matter was posted for reporting compliance.
2. The Original Application [O.A. No.16 of 2019 (SZ)] was filed to direct Respondent Nos.1 to 3 to issue necessary directions stopping all further works and dismantling and demolishing the unit of Respondent No.4 – M/s. Chemplast Sanmar Limited in Veerakkalpudur Village, Mettur, Salem District.
3. By Order dated 25.09.2019, this Tribunal constituted a Joint Committee to ascertain the allegations made in the application and to submit a factual report.
4. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board/Respondent No.3 also had filed its report along with the report of the Joint Committee report. Based on the same, the final order was passed on 26.05.2022.
5. Pursuant to the direction of this Tribunal, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras was engaged and the work order was issued for assessment of ground water contamination in and around M/s. Chemplast Sanmar Plants at Mettur, Salem.
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6. Pursuant thereto, IIT Madras conducted a study and
submitted its final report, wherein it recorded the following specific conclusions:
7. The specific conclusions made by IIT Madras are accepted and the compliance is also recorded.
8. Accordingly, the Original Application [O.A. No.16 of 2019(SZ)] is disposed of.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM
Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM
O.A. No.16/2019 (SZ) 17th April, 2026. AD.
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3 issues framed by the court
Whether to accept the IIT Madras study report and dispose of the original application seeking closure of the petitioner's industrial unit.
Whether to direct the dismantling and demolition of the Chemplast Sanmar unit based on the pollution assessment findings.
Whether to accept the compliance record submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
K. Gemini (Deceased; represented by legal heirs)
Union of India
State of Tamil Nadu
District Environmental Engineer
M/s. Chemplast Sanmar Limited
Pushpa Sathyanarayana
Prashant Gargava
As recorded by the court registry
An original application before a tribunal, most commonly a service dispute before the Central or a State Administrative Tribunal.
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
