While observing that the Mumbai Metro has made an attempt to overreach the court’s jurisdiction, the Supreme Court today directed it to pay ₹ 10 lakh fine within 2 weeks for felling of trees in Aarey forest beyond permission.
A bench comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala stated that it was improper on Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (MMRCL) part to move the tree authority for felling of any trees in excess of 84.
However, the top court permitted the company to remove 177 trees from Aarey forest, saying a stay-on tree felling would lead to the public project being brought to a standstill which isn’t desirable.
The bench said that “MMRCL within a period of two weeks should provide an amount of 10 lakh to the conservator of forests. The conservator shall ensure that all afforestation which has been directed is completed.”
It added that “We request the director of IIT Bombay to depute a team for the purpose of verifying compliance. A report should be submitted to this court in three weeks.”
The top court in 2019 took suo motu cognizance of a letter petition addressed to the Chief Justice of India by law student Rishav Ranjan seeking a stay on the felling of trees in the colony.
