In a unique move, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a murder convict to plant and nurture neem saplings as part of a pilot initiative aimed at promoting harmony with nature and countering violence. The Division Bench, comprising Justices Anand Pathak and Pushpendra Yadav, said the decision seeks to replace the “idea of violence and evil” with creation and environmental stewardship.
The convict, Mahesh Sharma, had already spent over 10 years in prison. He had filed a plea challenging his 2021 life sentence and sought suspension of the sentence, pledging to dedicate himself to a social or environmental cause. The court agreed to release him on bail, with conditions including furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond, two solvent sureties of similar value, and appearing before the HC’s Principal Registrar when summoned.
Alongside his release, Sharma was directed to plant 10 saplings of fruit-bearing, neem, or peepal trees and care for them. He must submit photographs of the growing saplings within 30 days of release. The court emphasized that the trial court would monitor the progress of the trees, highlighting the importance of environmental responsibility in human life.
The HC noted, “Cultivating qualities of compassion, service, love, and kindness is essential for preserving life. Planting trees is not just a physical act but a symbolic sowing of these values.” The bench also instructed that saplings should be 6–8 feet tall and planted in 3–4 feet deep pits for faster growth.
This innovative approach reflects the court’s attempt to blend environmental consciousness with rehabilitation, offering a creative alternative to conventional punishment.
