NHAI pays ₹5L donation for remarks; HC accepts apology

After the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) paid ₹2.5 lakh each as donation for environmental causes to two organisations, the High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday permitted the authority to withdraw its affidavit containing the controversial remark that Environment Protection Act, 1986, was passed by the Parliament “not only to protect environment but also at the instance of foreign powers.” A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum allowed the NHAI to withdraw the entire statement filed on behalf of the authority containing many controversial remarks, and accepted the apology for the remarks.