The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a 70-year-old resident seeking directions that several trees in a school compound, which he claimed were posing a threat to his house, be axed.

Justice Jasbir Singh disposed of the petition after the Chandigarh Administration filed its reply stating that the trees posed no threat to the residence of D S Ahluwalia, a practising lawyer.

For over two years, Ahluwalia had been writing to the Administration requesting it to cut the eight safeda (eucalyptus) and one mulberry tree located in the grounds of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10-A, Chandigarh, adjoining his house.

Aggrieved by Administration's inaction, Ahluwalia had moved the High Court in March this year.

He submitted that some of the trees, which are over 30 to 40 years old, were leaning towards his house and posed a risk.

The Administration, negating his claims, had submitted a report flatly refusing to cut down the trees. Superintending Engineer R K Singla, Construction Circle number 2, stated that after inspecting the site, it was found that the trees in question existed within the premises of the school and are about 10 feet from the boundary wall.

“Moreover, these are green trees, with ages between 20 and 25 years, and pose no threat to house of the petitioner,” read the reply of the Administration.

Thereafter, alleging that the report was false, Ahluwalia requested the court to appoint two local commissioners to verify the condition of the trees. Turning down the request, the court dismissed the petition.