Warrant issued against Agra divisional commissioner

The National Green Tribunal has issued a bailable warrant against Agra divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar in a case of encroachment of Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary land by an engineering college.

Bhatnagar, the chairman of the Agra Development Authority and one of the seven respondents, failed to appear before the tribunal Nov 17, an official said Thursday.

The tribunal has asked Bhatnagar to appear before it Dec 5.

A petition in the case was filed by activist D.K. Joshi, who said the high-mast lights installed by the college were hurting the birds.

The Uttar Pradesh forest department and the wild life department have already imposed hefty fine of Rs.10 crore on the college for constructing hostels on the Soor Sarovar forest land.