Priya Chaudhary
A letter petition addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding conducting a Judicial Inquiry into fire massacre that took place in the National Forests of Madhya Pradesh was admitted. This petition specifically dealt with the areas covering a large part of the flora and launa in the regions of Bandhavgarh, Mandla, Shahdol, Dindori and Amarkantak. The petition stated-
“Despite a consistent warning by the meteorology department and information available via satellites to the concerned forest officials, no precautionary measures of any sort seem to have been taken in a time bound manner.”
Through the letter petition, emphasis was drawn that forest and trees are an essential part of Article 21.
“Unmindful felling of trees is devastating to the nature, it is against intergenerational equity and against the right to life and existence of not just humans but other living beings including trees and the entire living beings dependent on such vegetation.”
“ The Intergenerational Equity of living entities includes Humans, Animals, creatures, Trees, SEEDS.”
Indulgence was therefore asked on the basis catena of judgements in this regard..
“Seeking urgent consideration of by this Hon’ble Court on Fundamental Right to Justice and Intergenerational Equity of living Entities under Article 32, 14, 19, 21 and 48A of the Constitution of India.”
The letter petition filed by Mr. Manan Agrawal, a final year LLB student at University of Delhi, Adv. Samyak Jain and Adv. Dheeraj Kumar Tiwari prayed for the following reliefs-
“Special Investigation Committee be formed on this entire matter to conduct a rigorous inquiry against the ignorance, inactiveness, negligence and readiness of the Centre, state government and chief conservator of forests who have rendered a great loss to forests or any other measures which the Hon’ble court may deem suitable.”
A division bench of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of High Court of MP on 17-05-2021, issued notices to the Central and the State Governments directing to file their replies within 4 weeks. The Court has also appointed Mr. Anshuman Singh as the Amicus Curriae.
