The Hindu : New Delhi News : Court refuses to stay Chiru meeting

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Court refuses to stay Chiru meeting

J. Venkatesan

Forum fears damage to Avilala Tank

Removal of vegetation would result in irreversible damage, says Intellectual Forum
What have been removed are only shrubs and bushes, says Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay the public meeting to be addressed by actor Chiranjeevi at Avilala Tank area in Tirupati on August 26 to mark the launch of his new political party.

A three-judge Bench of Justice B.N. Agrawal, Justice H.S. Bedi and Justice G.S. Singhvi declined the plea of applicant Intellectual Forum to direct the Andhra Pradesh government to withdraw the permission granted to the party on August 8 for holding the meeting.

Senior counsel L. Nageswara Rao, appearing for the applicant said that when the State government tried to develop the tank area, the Supreme Court had restrained it from allowing any construction and said the tank should be preserved and had given a series of directions. He said despite the court order greenery and vegetation in the 176-acre area in and around the tank had been destroyed using bulldozers. He said removal of vegetation would result in irreversible damage and would affect the groundwater table in that area.

No water

Justice Agrawal pointed out that what the apex court had prohibited was only construction in that area and the order did not say that there should not be any other activity. He said, “There is no water in that tank. When there is no restriction what is wrong in using it for public meeting?” Justice Singhvi told the counsel “what have been removed are only shrubs and bushes”.

When the Bench rejected the plea to restrain the authorities from permitting the meeting, the counsel said he wanted to argue on other environment aspects. Accordingly, the Bench directed the application to be listed on the date to be notified by the Registry. Senior counsel Rohinton Nariman represented actor Chiranjeevi but there was no need for him to argue as the court declined the Forum’s prayer. The Forum in its application pointed out that if permission was granted once to hold a public meeting in that area, it would become a routine feature to grant similar permissions for others for commercial purposes like exhibitions.

Sigh of relief

Meanwhile, the Chiranjeevi camp heaved a sigh of relief on getting the news that the Supreme Court had allowed the conduct of the public meeting.

Official spokesperson for the actor, Dr. Mitra welcomed the decision of the Court. “Mr. Chiranjeevi has been closely following the events and it is surely a relief for us because so many arrangements are being made,” he said.

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