STER LITE INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LTD. ETC. ETC. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. ETC. ETC.

42Copy pinpoint42. In the result, the appeals are allowed and the impugned common judgment of the High Court is set aside. The appellants, however, are directed to deposit within three months from today a compensation of Rs.100 crores with the Collector of Thoothukudi District, which will be kept in a fixed deposit in B a Nationalized Bank for a minimum of five years, renewable as and when it expires, and the interest therefrom will be spent on suitable measures for improvement of the environment, including water and soil, of the vicinity of the plant of the appellants after consultation with TNPCB and approval of the c Secretary, Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu. In case the Collector of Thoothukudi District, after consultation with TNPCB, finds the interest amount inadequate, he may also utilize the principal amount or part thereof for the aforesaid purpose after approval from the Secretary, Environment, Government of Tamil D Nadu. By this judgment, we have only set aside the directions of the High Court in the impugned common judgment and we make it clear that this judgment will not stand in the way of the TNPCB issuing directions to the appellant-company, including a direction for closure of the plant, for the protection of environment in accordance with law. E

43Copy pinpoint43. We also make it clear that the award of damages of Rs. 100 Crores by this judgment against the appellant- Company for the period from 1997 to 2012 will not stand in the way of any claim for damages for the aforesaid period or any F other period in a civil court or any other forum in accordance with law.

B.B.B. Appeals allowed.