The Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning to the Telangana Government over the alleged 'pre-planned' deforestation of over 1,000 trees in the Kancha Gachibowli area. The Court cautioned state officials about facing contempt proceedings and even temporary imprisonment for misusing a long weekend to carry out the tree-cutting operation.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih emphasized that the Court's priority was to restore the status quo at the site. The bench directed the State Wildlife Warden to take immediate steps to protect the affected wildlife. The Telangana Government was also instructed to submit its response to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) spot inspection report.
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Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, representing the State, informed the Court that the State had submitted its counter affidavit but needed more time to examine the CEC report. He assured the Court that no further deforestation was taking place. "Everything has stopped, nothing is happening there," he stated.
However, Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, serving as an amicus in the case, highlighted that the CEC report revealed that 60% of the deforested area fell within moderately dense and heavily dense forest categories. The Supreme Court, noting the timing of the tree-cutting—initiated during a long weekend—observed that it seemed 'prima facie pre-planned.'
Chief Justice of India (CJI) remarked:
"We are putting you on guard. You are trying to defend such a thing...taking advantage of a long weekend, you do all these things...have you seen those photographs? Dozen bulldozers were arranged...prima facie, all this seems pre-planned."
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The CJI further questioned the State's intent, asking why the deforestation did not start on a working day if it was a bona fide decision.
An interim application was filed by whistleblowers, including 200 students from Hyderabad University, facing criminal charges for protesting against the deforestation. Three FIRs have been registered against the students, with some already in jail despite ongoing exams.
The Court, however, refused to expand the scope of the present suo motu case to include this issue, advising the whistleblowers to approach the High Court for appropriate relief.
Background of the Controversy
The dispute began with a government order issued by Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) to alienate 400 acres of forest land in the Kancha Gachibowli area for IT infrastructure development. Despite a Telangana High Court stay on April 2, 2025, and another deferment on April 7, deforestation continued, leading to a series of protests.
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Petitioners argued that the government's actions violated two Supreme Court judgments—TN Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India and Ashok Kumar Sharma v. Union of India, which mandated state governments to identify and protect forest areas. They also pointed out that the land was being cleared without any environmental assessment under the EIA Notification, 2006.
On the other hand, the Telangana Government maintained that the land was categorized as "industrial land" and that the petitioners' claims were based on Google images.
Case Title : IN RE KANCHA GACHIBOWLI FOREST, STATE OF TELANGANA VERSUS |SMW(C) No. 3/2025 (and connected case)
