The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded the Telangana government regarding the deforestation of a 400-acre parcel of land in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The court has made it clear that the state must choose between restoring the devastated forest or face the consequences of its officials, including the Chief Secretary, being sent to jail.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih criticized the Telangana government’s actions, particularly the timing and execution of the tree felling. The court observed that the deforestation appeared to be pre-planned, as bulldozers were deployed during a long weekend when courts were not in session. The court is dealing with a suo motu case regarding deforestation activities in the Kancha Gachibowli area. The area is adjacent to the University of Hyderabad. The court had taken up the issue on its own following reports of widespread environmental damage.
The court questioned why the government didn't begin the process on a Monday and why the tree clearing started at the beginning of a long weekend. CJI Gavai stated, "Taking advantage of a long weekend, you did all this thing". He further noted that authorities arranged numerous bulldozers to fell the trees without obtaining the necessary environmental clearances. The court discarded the state government's arguments regarding exemptions for cutting small-sized plants and provisions for self-declaration.
The Supreme Court had previously directed the Telangana government to halt deforestation activities in the Kancha Gachibowli area on April 3, 2025. The court has also asked the Telangana wildlife warden to take immediate steps to protect wildlife affected by the deforestation.
Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Telangana, argued that the state should have the opportunity to demonstrate that IT development and ecology can coexist. However, the Chief Justice responded that the primary concern was the felling of thousands of trees, especially done taking advantage of a long weekend.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 23, by which time the state government must submit a report on the restoration efforts undertaken. The court has clarified that it will not entertain any attempts to divert from the core issue of forest restoration, including quashing FIRs against students who protested the deforestation. The court stated that these students could seek relief in the appropriate legal forum.
