While Mumbaikars have been rallying against the rampant tree cutting in Aarey Milk Colony for the Metro III car shed, fresh claims by green activist Zoru Bhathena might just be the ammo protesters need to fight the authority's decision. Bhathena on Saturday alleged that the Tree Authority headed by Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, which had sanctioned the cutting of the trees, was not formed as per the Bombay High Court's orders, and hence, was not authorised to pass the order.

Speaking to mid-day, Bhathena, who has been fighting to save Mumbai's green cover, said, "On April 23, the HC had directed the BMC to constitute the Tree Authority (TA) with seven independent experts and seven municipal corporators. The HC specifically said the TA cannot function unless it is properly constituted. However, the shocking fact is that the BMC illegally constituted TA with 13 corporators and zero experts, which then went ahead and sanctioned the cutting of the trees on June 1."