Latest news with #Singhvi
United News of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC stays Bombay HC order allowing Bishops to continue beyond retirement age
New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday granted an interim stay on the Bombay High Court's order dated May 5, 2025, which had allowed Bishop N.L. Karkare and Bishop Subodh C. Mondal aged 76 and 73 respectively, to continue as 'Active Bishops' of the Methodist Church of India, despite exceeding the prescribed retirement age. A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma passed the interim order after hearing arguments from both sides. 'We have heard the senior counsels for the petitioners and the senior counsel for the Respondent Nos. 1 and 2. Interim stay of the order until further orders,' the bench recorded. Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the petitioner, the Methodist Church, arguing that the continued service of the two bishops violates the Church's constitutional bylaws, specifically the 'Book of Discipline', which mandates retirement at the age of 70. Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Ranjit Kumar appeared on behalf of the Respondents. Singhvi contended that the delay in conducting the mandatory Quadranium, a Church conference held every four years to address administrative matters, including retirements had led to the current situation. He emphasised that the Respondents do not wish to remain in office beyond their retirement period and will step down as soon as the Quadranium concludes, scheduled for July 2 or 3, 2025. Addressing the Court's concern about manipulation of Church processes, Singhvi raised an issue involving Petitioner No. 5, Bishop Dr. Anilkumar Servand, who is currently 69 years and 11 months old. Singhvi alleged that the petitioner was seeking to conduct elections before his 70th birthday in order to be elected and thereby continue beyond the retirement age under the cover of a Quadranium session. 'He is saying, conduct the election before July 2 so he can continue beyond 70. He wants to cross 70 after getting elected, which would extend his term unfairly,' Singhvi argued. To this, Justice Nagarathna remarked, 'Petitioner No. 5 can't stay just for the election.' Ranjit Kumar and another advocate for the Respondents reiterated that none of the bishops wished to overstay their term and that the delay in transition was purely due to the adjournment of the 2023 Quadranium session, which had been postponed due to budgetary constraints within the Church. The bench has stayed the High Court's interim relief and will hear the matter further at a later date. The matter raises significant questions about internal governance within religious institutions and the limits of judicial intervention in ecclesiastical affairs, Singhvi contended. UNI SNG RN
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘May have given wrong impression': Abhishek Singhvi seeks to withdraw realtor Roop Bansal's plea in Punjab & Haryana High Court
In a notable turn of events during a hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on real estate developer Roop Bansal's plea to quash a corruption FIR, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi sought to withdraw the petition before a special bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu on Tuesday. The petition by Roop Bansal, director of the real estate firm M3M, seeks to quash an FIR filed by Haryana's Anti-Corruption Bureau. As the hearing began, Singhvi opened with a pointed clarification, 'I understand why, My Lord, sometimes a wrong message is given, as if we are trying to delay or not have it heard… I just deprecate that.' Singhvi acknowledged past adjournments and sought to dispel any notion of evasiveness. 'Yes, we may have given a wrong impression … I believe in being very candid with the court,' he said. He proceeded to outline what he called 'seven or eight substantive points', foremost among them being the lack of sanction under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which he termed a jurisdictional defect. 'The interesting point is that 17A is mandatory—this is not disputed. And 17A has factually not been taken—this too is not disputed,' he said. The chief justice interjected to clarify that the judicial officer mentioned in the FIR was not before the court. 'The judge's case is not before us, so we are not dealing with his case,' Chief Justice Nagu said. Singhvi responded: 'No, My Lord, I'm talking about the allegation against me. I'm M3M. The allegation is that I conspired with the judge to get benefits. If the judge never dealt with my cases, how can I be in a 120B with him?' CJ Nagu reiterated: 'The judge concerned is not the petitioner.' Singhvi then pivoted to challenge the evidentiary basis of the FIR, citing that WhatsApp screenshots and voice recordings had not been validated by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory's reports. 'Out of four recordings, three are not matched. One is a probable match—not a confirmed one,' he submitted. Singhvi also raised objections to alleged illegal interceptions, pointing to violations of Rule 419A of the Telegraph Rules: 'There is no averment of following the interception rules… and there's case law to that effect.' The senior counsel also criticised the role of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had opposed the petition. 'The ED is intervening with no locus in a predicate offence case… My clients were foolish enough not to challenge their intervention,' Singhvi said. Senior counsel Zoheb Hossain, appearing for the ED, said the agency's impleadment had not been objected to. Singhvi then made a candid admission. 'I don't want to risk adverse findings on my ultimate trial… This is a very strange case. I'm not seeking any relief today. I wish to withdraw this petition.' However, Chief Justice Nagu declined the request, stating: 'We are hearing you on merits… I would decline that request of yours.' Insisting on the right of an accused to withdraw a petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Singhvi said: 'Surely, My Lord, a criminal accused has a right to withdraw… Look, I want to satisfy the judge's conscience. There shouldn't be any catch to it. Today, opposing me is the ED—of all people—in a predicate offence 482.' Singhvi asked the court to at least record his request, 'Kindly record my submission that I wish to withdraw it.' When Singhvi expressed concern about adverse observations affecting his trial, Chief Justice Nagu reassured him, 'Even if we record some observations, we will always say that this will not influence the trial judge.' The hearing continued with Chief Justice Nagu directing Singhvi to proceed with his arguments. The case will now be heard at 9.30 am on Thursday.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
May 20, 2025
The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. No interim order was passed. Commencing arguments on behalf of the petitioners, senior advocate Kapil Sibal apprised a Bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih that the contentious law constitutes a 'creeping acquisition' of waqf properties by the Centre, thereby infringing upon the right of Muslims to manage their religious affairs. He further contended that the 2025 amendments constitute a fundamental departure from the well-established framework of waqf legislation developed over several decades. Senior advocates Rajeev Dhavan, A.M. Singhvi and Huzefa Ahmadi also made their arguments. Earlier in the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, submitted that the court could first deliberate on three specific concerns—whether properties declared as waqf by courts can be denotified, the legality of waqf-by-user, and waqf-by-deed—before proceeding to wider questions around the law. However, the petitioners vehemently opposed this approach, contending that the case involves fundamental constitutional questions that cannot be resolved in a 'piecemeal' manner. The Centre had notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 last month, following President Droupadi Murmu's assent on April 5. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 members in favour and 232 against. In the Rajya Sabha, 128 members voted in favour, while 95 opposed it. Singhvi countered the government's claim of a 116% explosion rise in waqfs from 2013-2024. He said the loading of waqfs in a portal started in 2013. They (the government) are treating an updation exercise, listing in a portal, as an increase in waqfs. The government made a prejudicial argument in its counter-affidavit, he said. Of the total of 8.72 lakh waqf properties, over 4 lakh, or 50%, are waqfs-by-user. Singhvi submitted. The JPC report showed survey of waqfs was conducted only in 5 out of 28 States and 4 UTs, he submitted. Ashoka University associate professor Mahmudabad sent to 14 days judicial custody The Haryana Police plea to extend the police custody of Ashoka University's Associate Professor (Political Science) Ali Khan Mahmudabad was on Tuesday turned down by the Sonipat Court, and he was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. One of Khan's lawyers, Kapil Balyan, told The Hindu that the police had sought seven days of extended remand of his client on the ground that his passport was to be recovered, but the court turned down the plea and sent him to judicial custody. Khan was produced in the court on completion of his two days police remand. 'We argued in the court that the photocopy of Khan's passport was already submitted to the police and all his travel details could be procured from the Ministry of External Affairs,' said Balyan. Khan was arrested after two separate First Information Reports were registered against him at Rai Police Station over his social media posts in connection with Operation Sindoor. The court had on Sunday remanded him in two days' police custody in one of the cases and sent him to judicial custody in the second case. Separate FIRs were filed by Haryana State Women Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia and Jathedi Sarpanch Yogesh Jathedi against him making similar allegations. Trinamool Congress nominates Abhishek Banerjee to be part of all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor The Trinamool Congress has nominated the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, to be part of a parliamentary delegation on Operation Sindoor. The development comes after the party opted out of the delegation, citing that it was not consulted before nominating its MP Yusuf Pathan to be part one international delegation. The impasse was resolved after a Union Cabinet Minister reached out to party leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and she suggested the name of the Diamond Harbour MP. 'We're delighted to share that our Chairperson Smt. @MamataOfficial has nominated Nat'l GS Shri @abhishekaitc to represent Trinamool Congress in the all-party delegation for India's global outreach against terrorism,' a statement by the party said. The statement added that at a time when the world must unite to confront the growing threat of terrorism, Banerjee's inclusion brings both conviction and clarity to the table. 'His presence will not only reflect Bengal's firm stand against terror but also strengthen India's collective voice on the global stage,' the statement added. In another development, a five member delegation of Trinamool Congress to visit Srinagar, Poonch, and Rajouri from May 21 to 23. 'The delegation comprising @derekobrienmp @MdNadimulHaque6 @ManasB_Official @sagarikaghose and Mamata Thakur, will be in the region from May 21 to 23 to express solidarity with the people affected by cross-border attacks, and share the grief of the families who have lost their loved ones,' the party said. 'No rule one must spend a year in jail for relief': Supreme Court grants bail in money laundering case The Supreme Court has said 'there was 'no rule' that a person accused of money laundering ought to spend a year in jail before being give bail as it allowed the relief to a businessman'. A Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan granted bail to businessman Anwar Dhebar in the alleged ₹2,000 crore liquor scam case and said, 'It is not a rule to be in custody for a year to get bail'. He was arrested in August last year and has spent over nine months in jail. The Supreme Court said the maximum punishment for the offence alleged was seven years, and that the trial against Dhebar was unlikely to start any time soon given the large number of witnesses. 'The appellant was arrested on August 8, 2024. Forty witnesses have been cited. Investigation is in progress. In the predicate offence there are 450 witnesses. In predicate offence cognisance has not been taken. Therefore there is no possibility of trial commencing in near future. The maximum punishment is seven years,' it noted. Referring to the Senthil Balaji verdict, the Court held Dhebar was entitled to be released on bail with stringent terms and conditions. 'He shall surrender passport, if any,' the Bench added. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel urged the Bench not to release the accused on bail saying he was arrested in August last year and it hadn't even been a year of his custody. The ED lawyer said the Supreme Court was following the 'one-year custody benchmark' to grant bail in various cases and submitted the yardstick ought to be followed in Dhebar's case. 'The accused,' the ED lawyer said, 'was politically connected and an influential person, and his bail would hamper the trial'. The Supreme Court, however, asked the trial court to release the accused within a week on terms and conditions fixed by the special court. Dhebar, brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar, was the first to be arrested in the money laundering case stemming from an Income Tax department charge sheet filed in connection with alleged tax evasion and irregularities in liquor trade in Chhattisgarh and some other states. The ED, in the prosecution complaint (chargesheet) submitted in the case in a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court in Raipur on July 4, claimed ₹2,161 crore of corruption money was generated in the 'liquor scam' that began in 2019 in Chhattisgarh and this amount should have gone to the State Exchequer. The ED alleged a syndicate comprising senior bureaucrats, politicians, their associates and officials of the State Excise Department had indulged in irregularities. NIA, IB grilling Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra arrested for spying for Pakistan, says Police The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and military intelligence officials are questioning Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, police said on Tuesday. A probe into her financial transactions and travel details is also underway, they said. Hisar-based Jyoti (33), who ran a YouTube channel titled 'Travel with JO', was arrested from the New Aggarsain Extension on May 16. She was booked under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the BNS, police said. Jyoti was among 12 people who have been arrested from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks on charges of espionage, with investigators pointing at an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in north India. A senior Haryana Police officer in Hisar on Tuesday said the central agencies and military intelligence officials are also probing her travel details, as she had reportedly visited Pakistan, China and some other countries. An attempt is being made to draw a complete chain of events to see which countries she visited and in what sequence, the officer said. Earlier, police said her known sources of income did not justify her foreign travels, adding that her financial transactions were also under scanner. A forensic analysis of Jyoti's laptop is underway, police said, adding that they would also question those who were in touch with her. On Sunday, Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan said that Pakistani intelligence operatives were developing Jyoti as an 'asset'. She was allegedly in touch with a Pakistani official posted in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan that followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the SP said. Sawan said while Jyoti did not have any direct access to any information related to the military operations, she was directly in touch with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs). 'This is modern warfare that is not just fought on the borders. We came across a new modus operandi wherein PIOs were trying to recruit some social media influencers,' the SP said. Sawan also said Jyoti went to Kashmir before the Pahalgam attack and visited Pakistan before that, adding that police are trying to establish the 'links' between these visits. Jyoti, whose YouTube channel at present has 3.87 lakh subscribers, came in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish at the Pakistan High Commission in 2023, when she went there seeking a visa to visit the neighbouring country. On May 13, India expelled Ehsan for allegedly indulging in espionage. Police investigation has revealed that Guzala (31), who Punjab Police arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan from Malerkotla district, came in contact with Ehsan in February. She met him at the Pakistan High Commission while seeking a visa to visit the neighbouring country, police said. Police arrested Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla, on May 11 for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army cantonment areas and air bases to Pakistan's intelligence agency. 'The accused reportedly received payments through the online mode in exchange for sharing classified information,' police said. Meanwhile, the family of Sukhpreet Singh, who was arrested in Punjab's Gurdaspur on Monday for allegedly leaking critical information concerning the Indian armed forces to Pakistan, claimed that he could not do such a thing. Delhi Public School fee row: More parents join protest against fee hike, students' expulsion Several parents of students studying in various branches of Delhi Public School (DPS) held a protest outside the Directorate of Education (DoE) on Tuesday, expressing concerns over the arbitrary fee hike and the expulsion of students. According to the parents, DPS Dwarka allegedly expelled 32 students earlier this month due to non-payment of increased fees. Vivek Jain, parent of a DPS Rohini student, called for immediate intervention from the authorities. 'We are willing to pay the fee approved by the government, but not the increased amount imposed by the school without proper explanation,' he said. He also urged the government to share the draft of the proposed school fee regulation bill with parents. 'We want to understand whether it genuinely safeguards the interests of parents and students,' he added. Aswani Makul, whose child also studies at DPS Rohini, said 'They had even approached the High Court regarding the issue, but no concrete steps had been taken by the DoE so far'. 'The school continues with the same practices. We need clear and decisive action from the authorities,' he said. On May 15, the Directorate of Education directed the school to withdraw its communication regarding the expulsion of students and to readmit those affected. The department also asked the school to ensure that no child is discriminated against in fee-related matters. A compliance report was requested within three days. Sangeeta, parent of a DPS Dwarka student, voiced similar concerns. 'We are ready to pay the fee set by the Directorate, but the school keeps raising it unilaterally. There is a lack of transparency, and parents are being unfairly burdened,' she said. Azad Singh, a parent, highlighted the stress being placed on children. 'Students are being mentally harassed and threatened with expulsion due to unpaid fees. This affects their well-being and violates their right to education. The authorities must step in and act firmly,' he said. There was no immediate reaction available from DPS Dwarka. Western countries condemn expansion of Israeli operations in Gaza Following Sunday's announcement from Israel that it was conducting an 'extensive' military operation throughout Gaza, the U.K., France, and Canada jointly condemned the move, calling the level of human suffering there 'intolerable'. The three countries said Israel's announcement that it will allow limited quantities of food into Gaza was 'wholly inadequate'. Following Sunday's announcement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a 'basic quantity' of food would be permitted inside the Gaza strip. The move, Netanyahu suggested, was in response to pressure from U.S. lawmakers. Israel would control all of Gaza, Netanyahu said on Monday. 'We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law,' the joint statement from the Western countries said. 'Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,' the countries said, as they called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, held captive since October 7 2023. The countries said that they would 'not stand by' while Netanyahu's government undertakes these 'egregious actions'. '…We will take further concrete actions in response,' the statement said. Although what specific actions they would take, remained unclear. '…It is a really serious, unacceptable, intolerable situation, and that's why we are working intensely to coordinate with other leaders how we respond to this,' U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday afternoon, at a joint press conference with EU leaders, in response to a question on whether Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The countries also called for a halt to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and said they could use targeted sanctions in response. 'We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,' the statement said. 'It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas' control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France,' the countries said as they committed to recognizing a Palestinian state. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among the EU leaders on Monday who condemned the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza. 'Humanitarian aid must never be politicised,' Von der Leyen said in London, noting that humanitarian supplies had not reached Gaza in two months. 'We are convinced that the only solution is the two state solution. This needs, among others, also a functioning Palestinian Authority,' she said, outlining the aid that Brussels had earmarked in support of the Authority. In Brief: The southwest monsoon is likely to reach Kerala in the next four to five days, much earlier than the usual date of June 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday. The weather department had earlier forecast that the monsoon would onset over Kerala by May 27. If the monsoon arrives in Kerala as expected, it will be the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it began on May 23, according to IMD data. 'Conditions are likely to become favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala during the next 4-5 days,' the IMD said in an update on Tuesday afternoon. Normally, the southwest monsoon makes its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Restore Kancha forest, or face prospect of going to jail, SC tells T CS
New Delhi: Reading the riot act to Telangana govt, Supreme Court Thursday said it would hold the state chief secretary and other officials accountable and send them to jail if the part of Kancha Gachibowli forest adjacent to Hyderabad Central University that was leveled for an information technology centre is not restored with afforestation in two months. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A bench of CJI B R Gavai and Justice A G Masih asked senior advocate A M Singhvi, who appeared for Telangana govt and attempted to persuade the court about the necessity of setting up the IT centre with protection of forests, whether any forest clearance was taken before trees were felled in a "tearing hurry on a long weekend knowing fully well that the SC's forest bench would not be available for hearing the matter". "Did you (Telangana govt) have environment clearance? If you want to save yourself from contempt, take restoration measures. Otherwise, your chief secretary must get ready to go to jail," the CJI-led bench cautioned. The bench was not moved when Singhvi said huge afforestation and plantation activities are being undertaken by the state. "Not in the area where the deforestation was carried out," remarked Justice Masih . While posting the matter, which the court had taken cognizance of suo motu, for further hearing on July 23, the CJI said, "If you try to defend your action, the chief secretary and dozen other officials responsible for deforestation will stand in danger of contempt." "You took advantage of a long weekend and brought in a dozen bulldozers to cut down the trees and level the forest area. Prima facie it appears pre-planned. You did so knowing fully well that the bench was not available on the long weekend. Why didn't you start work on a Monday," the bench asked. Singhvi said he would like to persuade the court about IT and forest going together. CJI Gavai said we are for sustainable development but in this case the state must restore the land to its original shape during the monsoon period. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was amicus curiae in forest matters, senior advocate K Parameshwar, who brought the in the forest patch, leading SC to send a HC registrar for an on-the-spot inquiry. In his report, the registrar informed the court that around 100 acres of forest land has been destroyed even though wildlife was seen in the area. SC had taken umbrage at Telangana govt's audacity in carrying out deforestation when the state on March 15 had constituted the forest committee, as directed by the SC on Feb 3, for identification of forest areas which have not been so notified. SC had barred all govts from diverting any forest areas for developmental projects till such enumeration of forest land was completed.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Restore Hyderabad forest or be ready to go to jail, SC tells Telangana CS
The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded the Telangana government for illegally deforesting a portion of Kancha Gachibowli forest for an IT center without proper clearances. The court threatened to hold the chief secretary and other officials accountable, potentially sending them to jail, if the deforested area isn't restored through afforestation within two months. NEW DELHI: Reading the riot act to Telangana govt, Supreme Court on Thursday said it would hold the state chief secretary and other officials accountable and send them to jail if the part of Kancha Gachibowli forest adjacent to Hyderabad Central University that was levelled for an information technology centre is not restored with afforestation in two months. A bench of CJI B R Gavai and Justice A G Masih asked senior advocate A M Singhvi, who appeared for Telangana govt and attempted to persuade the court about the necessity of setting up the IT centre with protection of forests, whether any forest clearance was taken before trees were felled in a 'tearing hurry on a long weekend knowing fully well that the SC's forest bench would not be available for hearing the matter'. 'Did you (Telangana govt) have environment clearance ? If you want to save yourself from contempt, take restoration measures. Otherwise, your chief secretary must get ready to go to jail,' the CJI-led bench cautioned. The bench was not moved when Singhvi said huge afforestation and plantation activities are being undertaken by the state. 'Not in the area where the deforestation was carried out,' said Justice Masih . The CJI posted the matter, which the court had taken cognizance of suo motu, for further hearing on July 23. The CJI said, 'If you try to defend your action, the chief secretary and dozen other officials responsible for deforestation will stand in danger of contempt.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 'You took advantage of a long weekend and brought in a dozen bulldozers to cut down the trees and level the forest area. Prima facie it appears pre-planned. You did so knowing fully well that the bench was not available on the long weekend. Why didn't you start work on a Monday,' the bench asked. Singhvi said he would like to persuade the court about IT and forest going together. CJI Gavai said, 'We are for sustainable development but in this case the state must restore the land to its original shape during the monsoon period.' It was amicus curiae in forest matters, senior advocate K Parameshwar, who brought the illegal felling of trees in the forest patch, leading SC to send an HC registrar for an on-the-spot inquiry. In his report, the registrar informed court around 100 acres of forest land has been destroyed even though wildlife was seen in the area. SC had taken umbrage at Telangana govt's audacity in carrying out deforestation when the state on March 15 had constituted the forest committee, as directed by SC on Feb 3, for identification of forest areas which have not been so notified. SC had barred all govts from diverting any forest areas for developmental projects till such enumeration of forest land was completed.
