Monday (October 7): The Supreme Court today restrained government authorities from cutting anymore trees in Mumbai’s Aarey to set up a Metro car shed.
A special bench comprises of justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan.
The bench said it will have to examine the entire thing and posted the matter for hearing on October 21 before its forest bench.
“Don’t cut anything now,” the bench said.
The felling of trees is being opposed by green activists and local residents.
The apex court directed that if anybody is still under arrest for protesting the cutting of trees, they should be released forthwith on furnishing of personal bonds.
During the hearing the Maharashtra Government told the bench that all those arrested for protesting against cutting of trees in Aarey have been released.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra Government, submitted that he was not aware of all records and assured the bench that nothing will be cut in Aarey till the case is decided.
The PIL petitioners told the bench that Aarey forest was deemed as an “unclassified forest” by the state government and felling off of trees was illegal.
However, after perusing the notification issued by the Maharashtra government, the bench said, Aarey area is a no development zone and not a eco-sensitive zone as claimed by the petitioner.
The apex court decided on Sunday to register as PIL a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by law student Rishav Ranjan seeking a stay on cutting of trees.
The police on Saturday had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Aarey, restricting movement and gathering of groups, and cordoned off the area.
Aarey Colony Protest: Section 144 imposed, 29 arrested so far
