On Thursday, the Calcutta High Court admonished the organizers of a Durga Puja pandal for cutting tree branches that were reportedly blocking the pandal.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya additionally directed the organizing committee (Mandal) to plant 50 saplings and ensure their proper protection and maintenance.

"No one can touch any tree standing on a public tree," the Chief Justice underscored while noting that the Mandal members had admitted to have cut down branches of the trees on a public street next to their pandal in Salt Lake area in Kolkata.

The petitioner claimed that the Mandal had cut down trees and transformed a green area into a barren one. The petitioner's advocate likened the offense to a 'heinous' act, equating it to rape or murder.

The advocate informed the bench that his client had lodged a complaint with the Forest Department, which conducted a hearing without his involvement and allowed the Mandal members to pay nominal fines. Consequently, he urged the Court to impose significant fines and substantial compensation on the offenders.

In contrast, the Mandal members argued that they had merely trimmed a few branches of the tree and had not uprooted it. They explained that their pandal was being obstructed, leading to the trimming of branches by the decorator's laborers.

Chief Justice Sivagnanam emphasized that even though it was the laborers who physically trimmed the branches, the Mandal could be held vicariously liable for the offense because they failed to seek permission from the authorities before carrying out the tree trimming.

"Do you know how much time it takes for a tree to grow? You all are educated persons living in a posh locality. How can you cut even the branches? Don't you know that even the pruning of trees is to be done scientifically? Now plant 50 saplings and ensure they are properly maintained," the Chief Justice observed.

Hence, the Court proceeded to order the Mandal to plant 50 saplings.

It has also asked the Forest Department to ensure the order is implemented properly.