Disposed

Abhijit Mahadev Phalke vs

NGT4 Aug 2026Original Application No. 360/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi, considered an original application based on a letter petition regarding illegal tree felling. The Bench refused immediate disposal, granted an adjournment for the applicant's appearance, and transferred the matter to the Western Zone Bench at Pune based on the place of accrual of the cause of action.

What did the court decide?

Adjournment granted; matter listed before Western Zone Bench at Pune for transfer approval and subsequent hearing.

Abhijit Mahadev Phalke vs — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2026)

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Item No.02

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Court No. 2

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BEFORE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 360/2026

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Abhijit Mahadev Phalke

Applicant

Versus

State of Maharashtra

Respondent

Date of hearing: 04.08.2026

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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Applicant: None for the applicant.

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ORDER

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Mr. Abhijit Mahadev Phalke has sent the present undated letter petition (received by this Tribunal on 10.02.2026) by post, which has been treated and registered as O.A. No. 360/2026 for exercise of suo moto jurisdiction in view of law laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha, (2022) 13 SCC 401.

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The Applicant has raised grievances regarding large-scale illegal tree felling at the Amit Bloomfield Construction Project, Katraj, Pune, Maharashtra. The relevant part of the O.A. enumerating grievances of the applicant is reproduced as follows:-

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“xxx……………….………………..xxx……………………………………xxx

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I, Abhijit Mahadev Phalke, President of Bhumata Youth Foundation, wish to bring to your kind notice a serious issue concerning large-scale illegal tree felling at the Amit Bloomfield construction project.

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It has come to our attention that the concerned builder/developer has carried out massive tree cutting at the project site without obtaining the mandatory permissions from the competent Tree Authority and Environmental Department. The said action appears to be in clear violation of the provisions of environmental protection laws, tree preservation regulations, and established guidelines meant to safeguard ecological balance.

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Due to this unauthorized deforestation:

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Significant environmental degradation has occurred.

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Local biodiversity has been adversely affected.

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The ecological balance of the surrounding area has been disturbed.

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Residents are facing environmental and health-related concerns.

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Such reckless actions not only violate statutory environmental safeguards but also cause irreversible ecological damage.

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In view of the above, I humbly request the Hon'ble Tribunal to:

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Grant an immediate stay on all ongoing construction activities at the Amit Bloomfield project site.

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Direct a detailed inquiry into the illegal tree felling carried out by the concerned developer.

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Impose appropriate environmental compensation/penalty for the damage caused.

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Order mandatory compensatory afforestation as per legal provisions.

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This matter is urgent and requires immediate intervention to prevent further environmental harm.

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I request the Hon'ble Tribunal to take cognizance of this complaint and initiate appropriate legal action in the interest of environmental protection and public welfare.”

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The Applicant has not appeared before this Tribunal today physically or through V.C. However, instead of dismissing the application in default, we grant an adjournment for appearance of the Applicant before this Tribunal physically or through V.C.

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Even though the present case has been listed before this Bench by registering Original Application on the basis of the letter petition received by post with approval and under order of Hon’ble Chairperson, but in view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual of cause of action lies within jurisdiction of the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune, we are of the considered view that it will be appropriate if the case is heard by the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune.

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Accordingly, the Registry is directed to list the matter before the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune on 31.08.2026 after obtaining orders from Hon’ble the Chairperson for transfer of the case, if so required.

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The Applicant may be informed about the date of hearing fixed and may be asked to join the proceedings physically or through V.C. and to produce the material available with him before the Western Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Pune, on that date.

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Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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August 4^th , 2026 Original Application No. 360/2026 SN

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Abhijit Mahadev Phalke vs

Case brief

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Abhijit Mahadev Phalke vs

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