The court expressed concern over the "alarming picture" of deforestation and its impact on local wildlife. It instructed the Telangana Chief Secretary to file an affidavit answering five specific queries
Published Apr 03, 2025 | 7:13 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2025 | 7:13 PM
Supreme Court appointed panel visits Kancha Gachibowli
Synopsis: The Supreme Court has stayed the felling of trees on the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land after suo motu cognizance on 3 April. Shocked by deforestation, the court directed the Telangana Chief Secretary to respond to five key queries and asked the Registrar of the Telangana High Court to conduct a site visit and submit a report by 3.30 pm.
The Supreme Court has stayed the felling of trees on the 400-acre parcel in Kancha Gachibowli, warning the Chief Secretary of being held responsible for any violations. Taking Suo Motu cognizance of the issue of 3 April, it expressed shock at the large-scale deforestation, seeking a response from the Chief Secretary, Shanthi Kumari, of the Government of Telangana.
This comes after the interim order earlier today, 3 April, where the apex court stayed the felling of trees, directing the Registrar (Judicial) of the Telangana High Court to conduct a site visit and submit a report by 3.30 pm. In addition to staying the deforestation, Justice BR Gavai and AG Masih also sought answers from the state for some queries.
The court expressed shock over the “alarming picture” presented in the Registrar’s report. They showed concern regarding the extent of deforestation in the area and its effect on the local wildlife. The Court also asked the Chief Secretary of the State of Telangana to file an affidavit answering five specific queries regarding the issue:
“Until further orders, no activity of any sort, except the protection of trees already existing, shall be undertaken by the State,” the court directed. “In case any of the directions issued by us are not complied with in true letter and spirit, the Chief Secretary of the State shall be held personally liable,” it warned.
The court also referred to its 4 March judgement mandating states and union territories to form committees for the identification of forest lands. It noted that Telangana formed this committee on 15 March but questioned why it undertook such measures before the committee completed its work.
Appearing in lieu of Rajya Sabha MP and advocate AM Singhvi, advocate Gaurav Agarwal represented the state. Reiterating the states’ arguments in the High Court, he maintained that the land under question is not a forest. However, the bench questioned if the government sought the requisite permission to axe trees at this scale across a couple of days.
“Forest or not, whether you have taken requisite permission for felling trees in 100 acres in 2-3 days is something – we would only remind one sentence – howsoever high one may be, not above the law,” Justice Gavai said.
Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court has postponed the hearing on the PILs filed in the Kancha Gachibowli auction case to 7 April. AM Singhvi sought time from the court to file a counter on 7 April. Justice Sujoy Paul agreed after confirmation with the petitioners and postponed the hearing. However, he extended his orders on 2 April that there should be no felling of trees in the area until the next hearing.
Students celebrated as Supreme Court halted tree felling in Kancha Gachibowli. HCU students cheered the two-week stay on deforestation. The Court ordered Telangana government to stop all development on 400-acre land.
The bench took suo motu cognizance and sought a report from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The CEC must inspect the site and submit findings before 16 April.
Registrar’s report revealed massive tree felling using JCBs and heavy machinery. The Supreme Court had earlier directed site inspection and report submission by 3 April. The Court permitted only tree protection activities until further orders.
The Court also said that the Chief Secretary of Telangana will face legal action if orders are disobeyed.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
