Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has asked Islamabad High Court (IHC) to uphold Martial Law Regulations in a case pertaining to the chopping down of trees in the federal capital, news sources reported.

In a case against the owner of the private housing scheme, CDA’s council asked IHC to restrain the orders of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) of granting bail and nullifying the verdict of CDA’s senior special magistrate. Reportedly, CDA petitioned the court on the grounds that according to sub-clause 2 of section 6 of Martial Law Regulation No. 82 of 1960, the ADSJ is not the competent authority to overturn the CDA’s judgement. As a result, the CDA council requested that the IHC restore the CDA’s judgement by imposing a PKR 1.5 billion punishment and three years in prison.

The lawsuit began when a complaint was filed against the owner of a housing project for trees cutting issue in the vicinity for construction purposes. However, the ADSJ granted bail to the owner in exchange for surety bonds in the amount of 600,000 and overturned the CDA’s judgement.