Kancha Gachibowli tree-felling: Restore forest or face jail, SC warns Telangana

Supreme Court gives Telangana choice on Kancha Gachibowli tree-felling: restore forest or face prison for officials; IT and ecology debate ongoing.

The Supreme Court gave the State of Telangana a choice between restoring the ruined acres of Kancha Gachibowli forest where trees were felled for an IT infrastructure project during an extended weekend or face the prospect of its Chief Secretary and “half a dozen officials” being sent to a “temporary prison” near the bulldozed green cover.

“It is for the State to make a choice between restoring the forest or having the Chief Secretary and officials in prison,” Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai stated firmly on Thursday (May 15, 2025).

Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for Telangana, said the State deserved its day in court to persuade that IT and ecology could go together. “I am here to persuade My Lords that ecology and IT can go together. Can I not persuade Your Lordships? Must I drop my case here and now,” he asked the Bench also comprising Justice A.G. Masih.

Chief Justice Gavai said whether IT and ecology could go hand in hand was another question.

“We have always been advocates of sustainable development. But the question here is the felling of thousands of trees, taking advantage of a long weekend,” the Chief Justice reacted.

Also read | Central Empowered Committee favours declaration of 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land as forest

Mr. Singhvi maintained that “thousands” of trees were not cut. “We have seen the photographs,” Chief Justice Gavai responded.