The Allahabad High Court on thursday has expressed strong displeasure over the illegal felling of 66 trees in a Garden (Upvan) situated near Sharda Mai Mandir, Mohalla- Ghasarpura, coming under the local limits of Nagar Palika Parishad, Barua Sagar, Jhansi and has ordered a high-level inquiry into the entire matter along with necessary action.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Siddharth Nandan, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Mukesh Kumar Nayak, observed that the felling of such a large number of trees from a garden owned by the Nagar Palika Parishad cannot be considered normal. The Court rejected the contention of the respondents that the officials of the Nagar Palika Parishad were not responsible in any manner.
The Bench also termed it unbelievable that the Regional Forest Officer, Jhansi, assessed the value of 66 felled trees at merely ₹1,12,493. The Court further objected to the absence of any clear information regarding the seizure of the felled trees and noted that no FIR has been lodged against anyone so far, despite the grave nature of the incident.
According to the instant petition, the petitioner had sought registration of an FIR against the accused respondents, including respondent nos. 6 and 7, and other concerned employees. In compliance with an earlier order of the Court, the Divisional Forest Officer (Social Forestry), Jhansi, submitted written instructions admitting the felling of 66 trees, assessing the loss at ₹1,12,493, and informing that five persons had admitted the offence and filed affidavits undertaking to deposit ₹25,000 each. However, the involvement of any officer or employee of Nagar Palika Parishad was denied, which the Court refused to accept.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, the High Court has directed the Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to inquire into the entire incident, issue necessary directions, and file a personal affidavit on the next date of hearing.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on 12 January 2026.
Case: Mukesh Kumar Nayak vs State Of U.P. And 6 Others
