MP High Court Cites Wrath Of Timber Mafia Depicted In 'Pushpa', Annuls Notification Exempting 62 Species Of Forest Produce From Transit Rules

In a significant ruling, a three-judge bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has annulled a 2015 State Notification exempting 62 species of forest produce from the operation of the rigours of provisions under the Transit Rules, 2000. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation plea challenging the constitutionality of a September 24, 2015 state gazette notification exempting 53 species of forest produce from the operation of the rigours of regulatory provisions under the Transit Rules. Subsequently through another notification dated April 11, 2017 the 2015 notification was amended to exclude another 9-10 species of forest produce from the rigours of Transit Rules. Since the annulment of the notification might have automatically led to revival of the previously issued notifications of 2005 and 2007, therefore the Court has kept the operation and effect of all the statutory provisions, notifications issued under the provisions of Transit Rules, 2000 granting blanket exemption to the 13-14 species for the whole State from 2000 onwards, in abeyance and suspension for the next six months.