The Supreme Court has asked the Mumbai municipal corporation to halt felling of trees at the Aarey forest area and maintained a status quo in the matter. The apex court has also asked the authorities to release people arrested for protesting against the felling of trees.

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A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan has observed the court will also look into the concerns of the ecological impact of the felling of trees. The matter will then be examined by a bench dealing with forest matter.

The next hearing is scheduled on October 18.

The apex court had decided on Sunday to register as public interest litigation a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by a law student Rishav Ranjan seeking a stay on the cutting of trees.

The top constituted a special bench for an urgent hearing regarding the felling of trees in Mumbai's Aarey to set up a Metro car shed which is being opposed by green activists and a section of people, including residents.

Solicitor General Tushar, appearing for the Maharashtra government, assured the court that the BMC is not going to cut down any more trees further in the Aarey Colony.

First Published:Oct 7, 2019 1:59 PM IST