Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday directed the state Home department to withdrawcases registered against protesters last year for opposing felling of trees for a proposed metro car shed in Aarey Colony, a prime green lung of the city. The decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting. A tweet from the Chief Minister's office said Thackeray has directed the state home department to begin the process of withdrawing the cases. The request for withdrawal of cases was made at the cabinet meeting by state Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, which was supported by deputy CM Ajit Pawar and other ministers.

"I thank all the cabinet colleagues of the MVA government for prioritising and realizing the importance of sustainable development and green governance and supporting such issues," Aaditya Thackeray tweeted. He said the protesters were citizens standing up for future of the planet. "To hold them from stopping desired work was one thing but to press police charges was another. We can't have cases against those who stand up for environment and forests," he said in another tweet.