Aarey forest: SC penalises Mumbai Metro for attempting to fell more trees
New Delhi, April 17: Supreme Court blasted the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) on Monday for attempting to "overreach" the apex court's ruling in the Aarey forest tree case and levied a Rs 10 lakh fine for attempting to fell more trees in violation of court's order.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala further ruled that the amount has to be deposited with the Chief Conservator of Forests within two weeks.
The bench ruled that MMRCL's attempt to fell more than the ordered limit of 84 trees for the Mumbai Metro Rail project in Aarey forest was improper.
"MMRCL shall deposit Rs. 10 lakhs to the Chief Conservator of Forests and the Conservator should ensure all afforestation as directed is completed. The Conservator shall ensure that the planting of trees direction is followed," the bench added.
The Supreme Court slammed the MMRCL as it sought permission to fell more trees instead of the 84 ordered by the top court earlier.
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"You people think you can Supreme Court for a ride. You cannot overreach the court. The officer of MMRCL should also be sent to jail. Ask the CEO of MMRCL to be present in court," the CJI observed.
CJI further ordered that both the MMRCL and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) were in contempt of the court.
The Supreme Court, on the other hand, allowed the removal of 177 trees from Aarey forest, stating that a halt in tree felling would bring the public project to a halt, which is not desirable.
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition seeking direction to stop the construction of a metro car shed under the project MMRCL in the Aarey forest area.
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- ANI
