Observes that the deforestation appeared to have been ‘prima facie pre-planned’

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Supreme Court came down heavily on the Telangana Government on Thursday, expressing grave concern over the large-scale felling of over 1,000 trees in the Kancha Gachibowli lands near the University of Hyderabad.

The Court warned State authorities of possible contempt proceedings and temporary imprisonment of senior officials, observing that the deforestation appeared to have been “prima facie pre-planned” to coincide with a long weekend when the judiciary was unavailable. The Apex Court has stayed further tree felling and scheduled the next hearing for July 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih made scathing observations after noting that heavy machinery and bulldozers were deployed to clear the forest land during a three-day holiday, raising suspicions of deliberate timing to avoid judicial scrutiny. “If you are bona fide, then why did you not start it on Monday? Why did you start at the beginning of the long weekend?” the CJI asked, questioning the government’s intent.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana Government, informed the bench that while a counter affidavit had been submitted, more time was required to review the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)’s report, received only a day prior. Singhvi assured the Court that no further deforestation was currently taking place, stating, “Everything has stopped, nothing is happening there.”

However, Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, acting as Amicus Curiae, informed the bench that as per the CEC’s field inspection, nearly 60% of the affected area falls within the moderately to densely forested category. He also noted the State’s reply failed to propose any forest restoration plan, focusing instead on justifying the development work.

The Court made it clear that it prioritised the restoration of the status quo at the site and reminded the State that failure to take corrective steps could result in punitive measures. "It is up to the State whether it wants to restore the forest or not. If not, we are prepared to send your officers to jail,” the CJI warned. The Court also directed the State Wildlife Warden to immediately safeguard wildlife impacted by the deforestation.

An interim application filed by whistleblowers—mostly students from the nearby University of Hyderabad—was briefly addressed during the hearing. Counsel for the applicants highlighted that over 200 students faced criminal action, with some reportedly jailed amid ongoing exams, for protesting the tree cutting. The CJI, however, clarified that the scope of the suo motu case was limited to forest protection and advised the applicants to seek relief through the High Court.