Ahmedabad, Sept 20: The Gujarat High Court has directed an enquiry into the alleged destruction of mangroves by the Adani group companies in Mundra, and ordered formation of a special team for the purpose.
The directions to the effect were issued yesterday by division bench of Justice Jayant Patel and Justice R M Chaya while hearing a petition filed by Kheti Vikas Seva Trust of Mundra, Kutch, seeking contempt of court proceeding against Adani Group companies, namely, Mundra Port and SEZ Ltd (MPSEZL) and Adani Power Limited (APL).
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel submitted some photographs showing alleged destruction of mangroves in the coastal area of Mundra and alleged that the two companies were responsible for it.
After looking at the photographs and hearing the submissions of petitioner, the court ordered forming a team consisting of District Collector, Superintendent of Police and a nominee of Coastal Regulatory Zone Authority (CRZA), to inspect the site where large scale destruction of mangrove has alleged by the Trust, despite a court order against it.
The court has asked the team to give its report by September 28 and scheduled next hearing on September 29. The petitioner Trust has alleged gross violation of the high court order passed on July 12 by these companies while hearing its public interest litigation (PIL).
The High Court on July 12 had directed that during the pendency of the Trust's PIL, no developer or company would cut any mangrove or any other forest, without permission from the Forest and Environment Department of the State.
In its contempt petition, the Trust has alleged that despite the court order the companies continued to cut thick cover of mangrove forest at Mundra using heavy machinery for their projects.
It further claimed that the companies had started adopting different methods to remove the thick cover of mangrove forest.
The petitioner has also pleaded for punitive action against the companies for violation of court order. PTI
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