CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury welcomes SC's verdict on Aarey Forest

Amidst the ongoing Aarey protest, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) leader Sitaram Yechury on Monday has welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict on the stay on cutting of over 2,600 trees in Aarey Colony. The Supreme Court ordered a stay on cutting trees in the area that was chosen for construction of a Metro car shed. Yechury declared that the Metro corporation must re-locate the trees as Aarey is an essential part of Mumbai. The leader also appreciated the court's decision to release protesters and activists in connection to the case.

Sitaram Yechury said, "I welcome this decision of SC. Aarey colony is a lung for Mumbai. It needs to be strengthened further instead of being cut down. Metro Corporation has to re-locate the plant somewhere else. The court has also asked the release of protesters and activists. It is also a welcome move."

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

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 Protest: Students' Lawyer Says, 'status Quo Will Be Maintained'

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 levvied against them.  Notably, police personnel were on duty during the protests against the felling of trees at Aarey Colony, when the incident happened. 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 | SC Orders Status Quo On Aarey; Says 'don't Cut Any More Trees'

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 Colony: Supreme Court Stops Authorities From Cutting Trees