Supreme Court warns Telangana officials of jail over tree felling in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli forest

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the large-scale felling of trees next to the University of Hyderabad appeared to be "pre-planned" and warned the Telangana government to restore the area or face strict action, including possible jail time for officials. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih said the state must choose between restoring the forest or risking imprisonment for its officials. The court took exception to the timing of the deforestation, which occurred during a long weekend when the judiciary was unavailable. "Prima facie, it appears that it was all pre-planned," Chief Justice Gavai said. "Three days of holidays were coming, and you took advantage as the court would not be available," he noted.

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