Aarey Colony: Section 144 till Tuesday morning, after SC's status quo

In a recent development in the Aarey Colony case, the Mumbai Police on Monday said that Section 144 of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) is still in effect in the Aarey police jurisdiction till Tuesday morning. The police also mentioned that they are ensuring that there would be no hindrance to the local residents' movement in the area. This comes right after the Supreme Court declared a status quo over the Aarey matter, imposing an interim stay on any tree-felling.  

Section 144 against unlawful assembly was imposed on Saturday following strong protests by activists against the felling of trees in the green zone for a Metro car shed. The Supreme Court on October 6, notified that a special bench has been constituted to hear the matter on October 7, at 10 AM, on the basis of a letter that was written by students.

READ | CPI(M) Leader Sitaram Yechury Welcomes SC's Verdict On Aarey Forest

No more cutting of trees 

Supreme Court has put an interim stay on the felling of trees in Mumbai's Aarey to set up a Metro car shed, asking the government to maintain status-quo after an appeal by students. Further, the top court has also sought a detailed report from the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. A special bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan started hearing the plea filed by a law student on the felling of trees. The felling of trees is being opposed by green activists and local residents.

"Don't cut anything now," said Supreme Court on Aarey forest for it to examine the matter further, adding that the next hearing will be held on October 21. 

READ | Aarey Protests:Section 144 Withdrawn From The Area Ahead Of SC Hearing

Aarey protestors get bail

A Sessions Court in Mumbai on Sunday granted bail to 29 protesters arrested over the last two days. The 29 who were arrested allegedly had charges of obstruction and assault on police personnel levied against them. Additional Sessions Court judge HC Shende of the holiday court ordered their release on certain conditions including the production of the personal surety of Rs 7,000 and assurance that they would not take part in protests.

READ | Bombay HC Rejects Plea Seeking Stay On Felling Of Trees In Aarey

The Aarey agitation 

There has been a huge tussle between a group of citizens and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) over the cutting of over 2,600 trees in the Aarey colony area in Mumbai. The MMRCL wants to build a car shed for Mumbai Metro by clearing the trees. When the Bombay High Court dismissed the petitions filed by environmental activists, the MMRCL commenced cutting the trees overnight. This led to a lot of protests and scores of people were detained by the police in the process. A local court had sent 29 people to judicial custody in connection with the incident over the weekend.

READ | Aarey Protests: Activists Write To CJI To Stop Ongoing Tree-felling

(with ANI inputs)