In a dramatic turn of events, the National Green Tribunal (southern region) has decided to transfer the ongoing Sterlite Industries (copper plant) imbroglio to National Green Tribunal in New Delhi, citing “circumstances did not permit us” to hear the case further in Chennai. The tribunal, which was supposed to announce a decision on an inspection report filed by a team of four on the alleged poisonous gas leakage on Monday, has decided to transfer the case to the principal tribunal in Delhi due to unavoidable circumstances, sources pointed out. It is believed that the tribunal headed by Justice M Chockalingam and expert member R Nagendran did not even open the inspection report and forwarded it, along with other materials/documents pertaining to the case, to the principal green tribunal in New Delhi. The case was scheduled before the principal green tribunal in New Delhi on Monday. However, it was not taken up for hearing due to absence of parties concerned, and the principal tribunal would announce a date for a fresh hearing in New Delhi in the next few days. It is almost a month since the plant was closed on March 30, and it will take a few more days before the principal tribunal pronounces its judgement based on the report filed by a four-member team, which had gone to the plant to assess the reasons and other aspects for the gas leakage, sources said. The 400,000 tonne per annum copper plant is believed to be incurring a revenue loss of R50 crore a day. Given the circumstances and month-long closure, it is believed that the principal green tribunal is expected to hear the case in the next few days, the sources added. It may be recalled that Sterlite Industries had sought a stay on the TNPCB order to close down its copper smelter plant in Tuticorin for posing health hazards after protests by locals in the wake of the alleged noxious gas leak from it last month. The company had claimed its plant adhered to required safety norms. Following this, the southern tribunal had appointed a four-member committee, including top scientists from IIT Madras, to undertake a study. A few days ago, the Supreme Court had in its order fined Sterlite Industries with R100 crore, to be deposited with Tuticorin Collector, on a petition filed by the company against Madras High Court, which ordered the closure of the plant way back in November 2010 due to environmental pollution among other aspects.