HC refuses bail in Tara Devi tree felling case

HC refuses bail in Tara Devi tree felling case

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, December 16

The High Court today refused to grant interim anticipatory bail to Amrik Singh Nagpal, a resident of Chandigarh and Director of M/s Pristine Hotels & Resorts Limited, in the case of illegal felling of 477 trees in Tara Devi.

Nagpal had filed a bail application before the court and after hearing the application, Justice PS Rana observed that in view of the gravity of the offence, interim anticipatory bail cannot be granted for now. However, the court directed the police to submit their report on the next date of hearing and listed the matter for further hearing on December 24.

Nagpal’s company had entered into an agreement with Parminder Kaur, owner of private land in Mauza Jungle Tarv, on September 12 this year for the purchase of 38.5 bighas for Rs 16 crore. But 477 trees were found to have been felled on the piece of land.

An FIR was registered on November 21 under Sections 30, 33 of the Indian Forest Act and 447 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).