Cutting large number of trees worse than killing human beings: Supreme Court
The Hindu
Supreme Court fines man ₹1 lakh per tree for illegally cutting 454 trees, stating it's worse than killing humans.
“Cutting a large number of trees is worse than killing human beings,” the Supreme Court has said while fining a man ₹1 lakh for each illegally cut tree.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan made the observation while rejecting the plea of a man who had chopped down 454 trees in the protected Taj Trapezium Zone.
"There should be no mercy in environmental cases. Felling a large number of trees is worse than killing a human," the bench said.
The top court said it will take at least 100 years minimum to again regenerate or recreate the green cover created by 454 trees which were blatantly cut without permission.
The apex court accepted the report of the central empowered committee (CEC), which recommended a fine of ₹1 lakh per tree for cutting 454 trees in Dalmia Farms in Mathura-Vrindavan by one Shiv Shankar Agarwal.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr. Agarwal, submitted that he has admitted the mistake, but the court refused to reduce the fine amount.
The court said Mr. Agarwal should be allowed to do plantations at a nearby site and said the contempt plea filed against him would be disposed only after compliance.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemns UDF's misogynistic attacks on CPI(M) legislator U. Prathibha, highlighting political degeneration.
Selected from 9,400 submissions across 37 countries, the 100 photographs on display traverse intimate and political terrains. In MRC Nagar, photographer Swastik Pal captures life in the Sundarbans, where severe climate change has brought humans and wildlife into closer contact. Shane Hynan’s Beneath Beofhod reflects on Ireland’s boglands as sites of memory and restoration, while Mateo Trevisan’s More than the Sun examines the impact of coal-driven industrialisation in the Western Balkans.
Hyderabad officials assure sufficient fuel supply for 60 days, warn against misinformation and illegal sales amid panic buying.
Telangana MP urges Centre to expedite ₹1,270 crore dues transfer from Andhra Pradesh for financial fairness and development.
A Karnataka man was detained with ₹62.5 lakh in cash during election checks on NH 544, claiming it was from a property sale.
Telangana Government issued 16 notifications to fill 31,798 vacancies, with 67,763 total recruitments since Congress took power.
Supreme Court directs Tarun Butolia's family to seek safety assessment from Delhi Police after fatal Uttam Nagar clash.
CM Stalin asserts unity in the DMK-led alliance, dismissing division attempts and emphasizing collaborative efforts for the upcoming elections.
Rahul Gandhi to skip Kerala rally due to Sonia Gandhi’s ill health; Kharge to attend Kozhikode event
Rahul Gandhi will miss the Kerala rally due to Sonia Gandhi's health; Congress president Kharge to attend instead.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds forecasted for 20 Telangana districts on March 26
TGSRTC reduces Metro AC and Deluxe bus fares by 30% in Hyderabad to encourage public transport amid the fuel crisis.
Supreme Court criticises Haryana Police for mishandling a four-year-old rape case, mandates swift action and oversight with a Special Investigation Team.
On World Theatre Day 2026, artists in Hyderabad call for affordable venues as rising costs and infrastructure gaps challenge the city’s theatre ecosystem.