SC Seeks Govt Responses on Plea Challenging BPCL Trees Cutting Permit

The Supreme Court has sought responses from both the Central Government and the Maharashtra government regarding a plea against the permission granted to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to cut 11,600 trees for laying underground pipelines from its refinery in Chembur to Raigad.

The Bench

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to respond to the plea.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, alleged that the mangroves were being destroyed. Mehta opposed the plea, stating that he would seek instructions and revert to the court.

Who filed the Plea?

The top court was hearing a plea filed by environmental activist Zoru Bhathena, challenging a Bombay High Court order that dismissed his plea against tree cutting for BPCL’s pipeline project from Mahul in Chembur to Rasayani in Raigad district.

The high court had asserted that expert bodies had deliberated before granting approval and the court would not sit in appeal over the expert body’s decision.

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