Case Note & Summary
The Supreme Court was seized of a suo moto matter concerning illegal construction and rampant felling of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The High Court of Uttarakhand had earlier directed a CBI investigation. After the Supreme Court took cognizance, the CBI investigation continued under the Court's monitoring. The Court passed various orders from time to time, including a status report from the State of Uttarakhand on actions taken against forest officers. The Court granted three months' time for filing further reports. The case involves environmental degradation and the need for strict enforcement of forest and wildlife laws.
Headnote
A) Environmental Law - Forest Conservation - Illegal Construction and Tree Felling - Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 - The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of illegal construction and tree felling in Corbett Tiger Reserve, monitored CBI investigation, and passed orders for remedial action. (Paras 1-4)
Issue of Consideration
Whether illegal construction and rampant felling of trees in Corbett Tiger Reserve warrant court-monitored CBI investigation and remedial action.
Final Decision
The Court granted three months' time to the State of Uttarakhand for filing further reports and continued monitoring of the CBI investigation.
Law Points
- Environmental law
- Forest conservation
- Wildlife protection
- Suo moto cognizance
- CBI investigation monitoring
Case Details
2025 LawText (SC) (11) 422
I.A. No. 20650 and 75033 of 2023 in Writ Petition (C) No. 202 of 1995 with Transferred Case (Criminal) No. 2 of 2025
B.R. GAVAI CJI. , K. VINOD CHANDRAN J. , N.V. ANJARIA J.
IN RE: T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad
Union of India and Others
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Nature of Litigation
Suo moto environmental litigation concerning illegal construction and tree felling in Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Remedy Sought
Remedial action against illegal construction and tree felling, and monitoring of CBI investigation.
Filing Reason
Illegal construction and rampant felling of trees in Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Previous Decisions
High Court of Uttarakhand directed CBI investigation; Supreme Court took cognizance and monitored investigation.
Issues
Whether illegal construction and tree felling in Corbett Tiger Reserve require court-monitored CBI investigation.
Submissions/Arguments
State of Uttarakhand filed status report on actions taken against forest officers.
Ratio Decidendi
The Supreme Court has the power to take suo moto cognizance of environmental degradation and monitor investigations to ensure compliance with forest and wildlife laws.
Judgment Excerpts
These proceedings arise out of unfortunate circumstances.
This Court, for almost a period of the last two years has been seized of a Suo Moto action pertaining to the illegal construction and rampant felling of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and has been passing orders from time to time.
Procedural History
High Court of Uttarakhand directed CBI investigation; Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance and monitored CBI investigation; various orders passed from time to time.
Acts & Sections
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Section 19
- Code of Criminal Procedure: Section 197
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2024: Section 218, Section 22
