Observing that the Mumbai Metro has made an attempt to overreach the court's jurisdiction, the Supreme Court on Monday directed it to pay Rs 10 lakh fine within two weeks for felling of trees in Aarey forest beyond permission.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala said 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.
The top court, however, 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 is not desirable.
"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," the bench said.
"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," it added.
The top court had in 2019 taken suo motu cognisance 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.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
"If CRPF Was Not Deployed...": Manipur Chief Minister To NDTV On Jiribam "Terror Attack"
'Can't Say Everything Parliament Did During Emergency Is Void': Supreme Court In Preamble Case Strict Anti-Pollution Measures In Delhi To Continue For At Least 3 More Days Supreme Court To Hear Petition Seeking Ban On Websites With Jokes On Sikhs Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Indian Student In US Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Celebrating Birthday "Violation Of Sovereignty, Abuse Of Power": Kanwal Sibal On US Report On Adani Group Sweden Says Won't Be Intimidated By Putin's Warning To West Karishma Tanna Shares Her Secret Hacks To Prevent Hair Fall 'Odisha Had No Dealings With Adani Group': BJD Rejects US Charge Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.