Aarey Protests:Section 144 withdrawn from the area ahead of SC hearing

Update at 9:30 AM: Section 144 has been reimposed by the Mumbai Police ahead of hearing in the Supreme Court in Aarey Colony case. 

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing in the Aarey Case on Monday, October 7, Section 144 of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) imposed by the police in Aarey Colony and surrounding areas has been withdrawn. It was imposed on Saturday, banning unlawful assembly, 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 the letter that was written by the students.

Students appeal to the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is currently on a Dussehra vacation till October 13. Focusing attention on the urgency of the situation, the students appealed to the Supreme Court to intervene as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) continues to cut down trees in Aarey. 

The letter pointed out the gravity of the issue stating, "By the time an appeal is filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court we feel that part of Aarey will be cleared with all trees axed leading to irrevocable loss."

READ | Aarey Protests: Activists write to CJI to stop ongoing tree-felling

READ | Aarey Protest: 29 protesters who were granted bail may not leave jail

Aarey protestors get bail

A sessions court in Mumbai on Sunday granted bail to 29 protesters arrested over the last two days on charges of allegedly obstructing and assaulting police personnel on duty during protests against the felling of trees at Aarey Colony. Additional sessions court judge H C 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.

Several activists have been protesting against the construction of the car shed for Mumbai Metro at the Aarey colony for two years. Several celebrities, politicians have condemned the felling of the trees in the area. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi was detained in her protests. Mumbai Congress leader Sanjay Nirupa too had slammed the felling of the trees. Aarey Colony is a green belt in suburban Goregaon which has more than five lakh trees, together with Sanjay Gandhi National Park and is known as the green lung of Mumbai.

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READ | Aarey Forest Protest: Prakash Ambedkar detained by Mumbai Police

(With PTI inputs)