Dipak Atmaram Shirodkar v. State Of Maharashtra Throu. Govt Pleader And ORS

5-PIL-9-2024 Pdp

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 9 OF 2024 Dipak Atmaram Shirodkar .. Petitioner

Versus

State of Maharashtra & Ors.

.. Respondents Mr. Narayan Bubna for petitioner.

Mrs. Neha S. Bhide, Govt. Pleader with Mr. O. A. Chandurkar, Addl. Govt. Pleader and Mrs. G. R. Raghuwanshi, AGP for respondent nos.1, 2 and 4 -State.

Mr. Kalpesh Patil a/w Vivek B. Rane for respondent no.5. Mr. Siddharth A. Mehta for respondent no.6.

Mr. Harshad Bhadbhade for proposed interveners. Smt. Girija Desai, Divisional Forest Officer, Ratnagiri Forest Division is present.

Mr. Navakishore Reddy, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Sawantwadi Forest Division is present.

by PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT Date:

2025.02.03 20:19:39 +0530 PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT

CORAM:

ALOK ARADHE, CJ. & BHARATI DANGRE, J.

DATE:

3rd FEBRUARY, 2025 P.C.:

1.

In this petition, which has been filed as Public Interest Litigation, the petitioner is aggrieved by the inaction of the officers of the forest department in failing to take effective steps to prevent the rampant destruction of forest resources and illegal smuggling activities by Kath manufacturers. 2.

A Division Bench of this Court by an order dated 3rd January, 2025 had issued interim directions directing the official respondents to take action against 22 manufacturing units mentioned in the affidavit dated 9th December, 2024 and

5-PIL-9-2024 Principal Secretary, Forests, State of Maharashtra, was directed to appoint an officer of the rank of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest to conduct an inquiry against the persons responsible for filing contradictory affidavits before this Court and to complete the inquiry within a period of three months.

3.

The Principal Secretary, Forests, State of Maharashtra, was directed to file an affidavit indicating the action taken/ proposed to be taken against the erring officials and the matter was directed to be listed on 21st February, 2025. 4.

However, counsel for the petitioner on 24th January, 2025 has got the date advanced to today i.e. 3rd February, 2025.

5.

Learned Additional Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that out of the 22 units, 6 units have already been sealed and in respect of remaining 16 units, offences have been registered and an inquiry shall be conducted within the time limits stipulated in the order dated 3rd January, 2025. 6.

Learned counsel for respondent no.6 prays for and is granted two weeks' time to enable him to file additional documents.

7.

List on 25th February, 2025.

(BHARATI DANGRE, J.) (CHIEF JUSTICE)