'Shocking': MP High Court Takes Suo-Motu Cognizance Of News Report On Felling Of 488 Trees Near Bhopal Without Permission

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on Wednesday (October 29), took suo motu cognizance of a news report published in the Times of India, as which the Public Works Department (PWD) had felled 488 trees near Bhopal without taking requisite permissions. The court also restrained any further felling or pruning of trees in the area except through permission granted by the state appointed committee and tree officer. The court expressed concern over the report, which stated that the PWD had not sought approval from the 9-member State Government Committee or the Tree officer, as mandated by law. Instead, the report stated that the permission had been granted by the Additional District Magistrate, Raisen. As per the news report the central bench of NGT had asked the state govt to constitute a committee with respect to consideration of felling of trees for construction of a stadium and road broadening at Neelbad. Expressing concern a division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf said:"The article shows shocking state of affairs, where 488 trees are sought to be axed despite the National Green Tribunal declining such an action and repeated orders by this Court. Accordingly, we take suo motu cognizance of the said action of the PWD and direct the Registry to register a suo motu petition". Issuing notice to the State including PWD, the court appointed advocate Amal Pushp Shroti as an amicus curiae to assist the Court. The bench directed the PWD to file an affidavit indicating the number of trees which had been felled for the project and how many trees were further sought to be felled. The court further directed the PWD to indicate whether permission had been obtained by the Special Committee constituted by the State as per directions issued by the National Green Tribunal and/or the Tree officer. The bench further directed:"We further direct that till the next date of hearing, no tree shall be felled or pruned except in accordance with the permission granted by the Committee and the Tree Officer under the Madhya Pradesh Protection of Trees Act (Urban), 2001". The case was listed for November 4, 2025. Case Title: In reference (suo motu) v State [WP-42565-2025]Click here to read/download Order

'Shocking': MP High Court Takes Suo-Motu Cognizance Of News Report On Felling Of 488 Trees Near Bhopal Without Permission

Jayanti Pahwa

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