Supreme Court to hear plea against clearing of Aarey trees

The Supreme Court will take up at 10 am on Monday a petition challenging the clearing of trees for the Metro-3 carshed at Aarey. The top court on Sunday agreed to hear the matter after a group of law students knocked on the door of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

The SC said in a notice that it has registered the matter as a public interest litigation. It has constituted a special bench as the court is currently on Dussehra break.

The Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed four petitions related to the carshed, thus paving the way for the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation to proceed further.

If the apex court issues an injunction, the MMRC will be required to stop felling of the trees. The BMC Tree Authority has allowed the Metro-3 authorities to clear/transplant over 2,600 trees at the depot site.

In another scenario, if the apex court doesn't find any merit with the petition, Metro officials will be able to continue with their work at full swing.

The chopping of trees at Aarey Colony has pitted activists against the government and has given fodder to the Opposition and the Shiv Sena to target the BJP ahead of the October 21 Maharashtra elections.