Howrah: Environmentalist Subhas Datta was acquitted on Monday in a criminal case slapped on him in 1994 after he had protested the cutting of trees in Dalmiya Park, off Howrah Maidan.

The activist has since filed a number of public interest litigations, mostly on environment issues. One of his petitions had led to the formulation of an act in 2006 - West Bengal Trees (Protection and Conservation in Non-Forest Areas) Act - that bans felling of trees in non-forest areas in Bengal.

"On January 12, 1994, five others and I were arrested for protesting the cutting of two trees at Dalmiya Park which we had planted in 1978. The trees were felled apparently because they were obstructing the view of a showroom. We were rounded up when we were trying to plant saplings in the same area to protest the felling," Datta told Metro on Monday evening.

The charges against Datta included attacking police, attempt to murder and creating fracas in public.

While acquitting Datta and another accused - the other four are no more - first judicial magistrate Saurav Kumar Jana Roy expressed surprise that such a case could be slapped on someone who only tried to protect nature and plant saplings.

"We have not pursued the case. There was not much merit in it," admitted an officer of Golabari police station.

"While the police were quite proactive in taking action against us when we were trying to protect trees, hardly any action has been taken against the people who have cut trees. Such offence is punishable under the West Bengal Trees (Protection and Conservation in Non-Forest Areas) Act 2006. Most officers are not even aware of the act," Datta said.