Mumbai: 4 arrested for axing Banyan tree in Girgaon Chowpatty

Representational Image | Credit: Ashish Raje

Four persons have been arrested by Gamdevi police after they illegally axed a Banyan tree among others to clear the view of hoardings. The incident was brought to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) notice by the local residents, reports India Today.

As per the rules, permission has to be sought from BMC's Tree Authority for chopping down any tree in the city of Mumbai. The police stated that the trees were hacked to clear the view of the hoarding that displays advertisements.

"Three more accused are wanted in the case. Once they are arrested, we will be able to know on whose instructions the trees were axed. The accused have been booked under various sections of the IPC and the Maharashtra Preservation of Trees Act, 1971. The complaint suggests that they cut the trees to make way for the hoardings. An investigation is on," Rajeev Sawant, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Gamdevi Division said.

The matter came to Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray's notice and he tweeted saying the violators won't be spared.

"With regards to this, this was one of our most beautiful spots in that vicinity. It has been illegally hacked by someone and those culprits won't be spared whoever it is. I have spoken to Jt CP L&O Vishwas Nangre Patil and Asst Comm Prashant Gaikwad. We will act strongly," Aaditya Thackeray had tweeted.

"We will wait for the police to inform us about the actual reason for the illegal hacking of the trees. If the police conclude that the trees were hacked to clear the view of the hoardings, then we will take action to revoke the license of the advertising company that owns the hoarding. As per the license conditions, it is the responsibility of the hoarding owner to take care of the trees in the surroundings," Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, D Ward said.